Space Oddity—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post

One

Who was the first astronaut to drive a Lunar Rover on the Moon’s surface?

Answer: David Scott

Between July 30 and August 2, 1971, David Scott, commander of Apollo 15, drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-1) for 3 hours and 2 minutes. These journeys covered A total of 17.25 miles (27.76 km) across the lunar surface. Apollo 15(LRV-1) 17.25 miles (27.76 km) 3 h 02 min 7.75 miles (12.47 km) 3.1 miles (5.0 km)

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Two

What, in Roman numerals, is the sum of LXXXIV and DCCLIX?

Answer: DCCCXLIII

LXXXIV =

• L = 50
• XXX = 30
• IV = 4
  → 50 + 30 + 4 = 84

DCCLIX =

• D = 500
• CC = 200
• L = 50
• IX = 9
  → 500 + 200 + 50 + 9 = 759

84 + 759 = 843

Convert 843 to Roman numerals:

• 800 = DCCC
• 40 = XL
• 3 = III

→ 843 = DCCCXLIII

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Three

John F. Kennedy had a dog called Dunker. What breed was it?

Answer: Dachshund

The Dachshund is a small, long-bodied dog breed originally developed in Germany to hunt badgers. The name literally means ‘badger dog’—Dachs = badger, Hund = dog. They’re often called ‘sausage dogs’ because of their shape.

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Four

Which character in a work by Alexandre Dumas was possibly inspired by the vengeful shoemaker Pierre Picaud of Nîmes?

Answer: Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo

Pierre Picaud, a shoemaker from Nîmes, is believed to have inspired Edmond Dantès, the protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Picaud’s story is strikingly similar to that of Dantès. In the early 19th century, Picaud was wrongfully imprisoned due to the betrayal of his friends and his fiancée. During his imprisonment in the Château d’If, he met an old man who shared with him knowledge of treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Upon his release, Picaud used this treasure to exact revenge on those who had wronged him, much like Edmond Dantès does in Dumas’ novel.
This story of Picaud’s life—his unjust imprisonment, subsequent escape, and thirst for vengeance—closely mirrors the narrative of The Count of Monte Cristo.

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Five

Please list the US states whose names start with the letter ‘M’?

Answer: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Montana