Quizology.Online

Tag: space

  • Picture This — Answers

    Images from an Exhibition at Lahore.
    The Illustrated London News, 1864.
    Image Victoria & Albert Museum.

    These are all connected to today’s date, May 14th.

    One

    1842 saw the first publication of an illustrated weekly news magazine, named The Illustrated … News. The image is from a later edition. What city completed the name of this periodical?

    Answer: London. The Illustrated London News

    Founded by Herbert Ingram, The Illustrated London News debuted on 14 May 1842 as the first illustrated weekly news magazine. It published weekly until 1971, then less frequently, ceasing in 2003. The company, now Illustrated London News Ltd, remains a publishing and digital agency in London, preserving its archives.

    Two

    The United States’ first space station was launched on this date. In what year was this, and what was it called?

    Answers: 1973; Skylab.

    Skylab, the US’s first space station, was occupied for 24 weeks in 1973-1974. It was constructed from a repurposed Saturn V third stage and included an orbital workshop, solar observatory, and Earth observation capabilities. Skylab’s orbit eventually decayed and it disintegrated in the atmosphere on July 11, 1979 scattering debris across the Indian Ocean and Western Australia.

    Three

    In 2004, the then Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark married Mary Donaldson at Copenhagen Cathedral. The couple are now the king and queen of Denmark. On what island was the bride born?

    Answer: Tasmania.

    Mary, born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson in 1972 at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, is the Queen of Denmark and wife of King Frederik X. They met at the 2000 Olympics and married in 2004, having four children together. Mary is a patron of over 30 charities and founded the Mary Foundation in 2007.

    Four

    The practice of holding a two-minute silence to remember the dead from the First World War began on 14 May 1918. In what port city of the then British Empire did it begin?

    Answer: Cape Town, South Africa.

    The Remembrance Day two-minute silence began in Cape Town in 1918, when Mayor Sir Harry Hands introduced a daily pause after the death of his son in the First World War. Organised with councillor Robert Rutherford Brydone, the ceremony halted traffic while buglers played the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’. The practice spread across the British Empire after Sir Percy FitzPatrick promoted it to King George V, who officially adopted the two-minute Armistice Day silence in 1919.

    Five

    Born Catherine Élise today in 1969 in Victoria. This actress won an award for her role as Katharine Hepburn and later played KGB agent Irina Spalko. Who is she?

    Answer: Cate Blanchett.

    Cate Blanchett, an Australian actress born Catherine Élise Blanchett on 14 May 1969 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is 56 years old. Known for her multidimensional characters and wide range of roles, her breakthrough came playing a young Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998). She later appeared in The Lord of the Rings series, The Aviator (2004), and Blue Jasmine (2013). Blanchett won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator and another for her performance in Blue Jasmine. She also portrayed Irina Spalko, the main antagonist in the 2008 film Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull.

  • Picture This

    Images from an Exhibition at Lahore (cropped).
    The Illustrated … News, 1864.
    Image Victoria & Albert Museum.

    These are all connected to today’s date, May 14th.

    One

    1842 saw the first publication of an illustrated weekly news magazine, named The Illustrated … News. The image above is from a later edition. What city completed the name of this periodical?

    Two

    The United States’ first space station was launched on this date. In what year was this, and what was it called?

    Three

    In 2004, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark married Mary Donaldson at Copenhagen Cathedral. The couple are now the king and queen of Denmark. On what island was the bride born?

    Four

    The practice of holding a two-minute silence to remember the dead from the First World War began on 14 May 1918. In what port city of the then British Empire did it begin?

    Five

    Born Catherine Élise today in 1969 in Victoria. This actress won an award for her role as Katharine Hepburn and later played KGB agent Irina Spalko. Who is she?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Initial Diagnosis II — Answers

    Today’s answers are shown below.

    CNN Logo.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Another five sets of initials for you to flesh out.

    One

    What, in the American broadcasting industry, do the initials CNN stand for?

    Answer: Cable News Network.

    CNN, founded in 1980 by Ted Turner, is a 24-hour cable news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As of December 2023, CNN had 68,974,000 subscribers in the United States and its programming airs globally through CNN International.

    Two

    What do the initials stand for in author J.R.R. Tolkien’s name?

    Answer: John Ronald Reuel.

    J.R.R. Tolkien, an English writer and philologist, authored The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He was a professor at Oxford and a devout Catholic.

    Three

    What names do the two Rs in American author George R.R. Martin’s name represent?

    Answer: Raymond Richard.

    George Raymond Richard Martin, who writes as George R.R. Martin, is an American author, screenwriter and television producer, best known for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, adapted into the award-winning television series Game of Thrones. He also contributed to the Wild Cards anthology series and the video game Elden Ring.

    Four

    Geographically in North America what is HOMES, and what does each letter represent?

    Answer: The Great Lakes; Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior.

    The Great Lakes — Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior — a group of five interconnected freshwater lakes on the Canada-US border, are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total area. They formed around 14,000 years ago and have been a major source of transportation, migration, trade, and fishing.

    Five

    What words are represented by the letters in the abbreviation NASA?

    Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

    NASA, established in 1958, is the U.S. government agency responsible for the civil space program and aeronautics research. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it operates ten field centres and leads various spaceflight programmes, including Artemis. NASA collaborates internationally and domestically, with a budget of $24.4 billion for fiscal year 2026.

  • Initial Diagnosis II

    CNN Logo.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Another five sets of initials for you to flesh out.

    One

    What, in the American broadcasting industry, do the initials CNN stand for?

    Two

    What do the initials stand for in author J.R.R. Tolkien’s name?

    Three

    What names do the two Rs in American author George R.R. Martin’s name represent?

    Four

    Geographically in North America what is HOMES, and what does each letter represent?

    Five

    What words are represented by the letters in the abbreviation NASA?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Initial Diagnosis — Answers

    Today’s answers are shown below.

    Space Shuttle.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five sets of initials for you to flesh out.

    One

    In computing what does WYSIWYG stand for?

    Answer: What You See Is What You Get.

    WYSIWYG software allows content editing in a form resembling its final appearance, such as a printed document or web page.

    Two

    UNICEF was formed in 1946 what, at that time, did the letters in UNICEF stand for?

    Answer: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.

    UNICEF, a United Nations agency, provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Operating in 192 countries, its activities include immunisations, disease prevention, nutrition, sanitation, education, and emergency relief. UNICEF relies on voluntary contributions and is governed by a 36-member executive board. Since 1953, UNICEF has officially been the United Nations Children’s Fund.

    Three

    In the US military MASH was an abbreviation meaning what? 

    Answer: Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

    Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH) were U.S. Army field hospitals operational from the Korean War to the Gulf War. They provided crucial medical support to large army units, with a low mortality rate due to their proximity to the front lines. A media franchise (books, film and television) which depicts fictional characters at a fictional Korean War field hospital, focussing on medical practice and the staff’s humorous antics.

    Four

    During the NASA Space Shuttle program each mission was referred to by an STS number. What words were represented by the letters STS?

    Answers: Space Transportation System.

    The Space Shuttle programme, operational from 1981 to 2011, was NASA’s fourth human spaceflight programme. It involved reusable orbiters launched with solid rocket boosters and an external fuel tank, carrying astronauts and payloads to low Earth orbit. The Shuttle was the first reusable crewed space vehicle to achieve orbit and landing.

    Five

    In Australian geography what is A.C.T.?

    Answer: Australian Capital Territory.

    The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), established in 1911, houses the nation’s capital, Canberra. While the ACT has its own government, the Federal Parliament can overrule its legislation.

  • Initial Diagnosis

    Space Shuttle.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five sets of initials for you to flesh out.

    One

    In computing what does WYSIWYG stand for?

    Two

    UNICEF was formed in 1946 what, at that time, did the letters in UNICEF stand for?

    Three

    In the US military MASH was an abbreviation meaning what? 

    Four

    During the NASA Space Shuttle program each mission was referred to by an STS number. What words were represented by the letters STS?

    Five

    In Australian geography what is A.C.T.?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How VIII — Answers

    Here are today’s answers.

    Marco Polo in a Tartare Costume.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Six questions on random topics, each beginning with one of these words: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

    Who

    Who is the title character of The Lord of the Rings?

    Answer: Sauron.

    Sauron, the main antagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, seeks to rule Middle-earth using the One Ring. He is depicted as a wholly evil being, comparable to Dracula and Balor of the Evil Eye.

    What

    What prompted the change in NASA’s 1967 mission designation AS-204 and what was the new designation?

    Answer: Fatal cabin fire; Apollo 1.

    Initially designated AS-204 and later renamed Apollo 1, the first planned crewed mission of the Apollo programme ended in tragedy when a cabin fire during a launch rehearsal killed all three crew members Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger B. Chaffee. The fire, caused by an electrical ignition and exacerbated by flammable materials and a high-pressure oxygen atmosphere, led to a 20-month suspension of crewed flights while safety measures were implemented.

    When

    When did Marco Polo journey to China? (The century will do)

    Answer: 13th century.

    Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295, spending 17 years in China. His detailed accounts of the Mongol Empire and China, including his experiences in the emperor’s lands, provided Europeans with a comprehensive look into the Eastern world. Polo’s writings inspired future explorers like Christopher Columbus and influenced European cartography. His book, Il milione, is a classic of travel literature.

    Where

    Where does ‘Mr. Smith’ go in an early James Stewart movie?

    Answer: Washington.

    Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a 1939 film by Frank Capra, depicts Jefferson Smith, an idealistic youth leader, battling corruption in the U.S. Senate. The film’s portrayal of political corruption angered real-life legislators, leading to calls for its banning and accusations of being anti-American and communist.

    Why

    Why was Dennis Tito in the news in May 2001?

    Answer: He paid to go into space (the world’s first ‘space tourist’).

    Dennis Tito is an American engineer and entrepreneur. During mid-2001, he became the first space tourist to fund his own visit to space, when he spent nearly eight days in orbit as a crew member of ISS EP-1, a visiting mission to the International Space Station. This mission was launched by the spacecraft Soyuz TM-32, and was landed by Soyuz TM-31. Dennis Tito, after paying $20 million, became the first space tourist, joining the Soyuz TM-32 mission to the International Space Station in 2001. Despite initial criticism from NASA, Tito spent over a week in space, conducting experiments and later testifying before Congress on commercial spaceflight.

    How

    How many championships are required to be won in one year to achieve a Grand Slam in golf, and what are these championships?

    Answers: Four; US Masters; US PGA Chamionship; US Open Championship; and The Open Championship.

    Masters Tournament, held the week ending on the 2nd Sunday in April – hosted as an invitational by and played at Augusta National Golf Club. 2026 saw the 90th edition of The Masters.

    The 2026 PGA Championship will be the 108th edition of the PGA Championship, scheduled for May 14–17 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, a suburb west of Philadelphia.

    The 2026 United States Open Championship will be the 126th edition of the U.S. Open, the national open golf championship of the United States. It will be held from June 18–21, 2026 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. It will be the sixth Open hosted at the club.

    The 2026 Open Championship, officially the 154th Open Championship, is a golf tournament to be played from 16–19 July 2026 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. It will be the 11th Open held at the club.
    — Wikipedia, various articles on each championship.

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How VIII

    Marco Polo in a Tartare Costume.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Six questions on random topics, each beginning with one of these words: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

    Who

    Who is the title character of The Lord of the Rings?

    What

    What prompted the change in NASA’s 1967 mission designation AS-204 and what was the new designation?

    When

    When did Marco Polo journey to China? (The century will do)

    Where

    Where does ‘Mr. Smith’ go in an early James Stewart movie?

    Why

    Why was Dennis Tito in the news in May 2001?

    How

    How many championships are required to be won in one year to achieve a Grand Slam in golf, and what are these championships?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Double Trouble — Answers

    Here are the answers for today’s questions.

    The first question today relates to the date, April 17th. The rest follows a theme but I’m not going to say what that theme is. 

    Martin Luther appearing before Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, at the Diet of Worms.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On 17 April 1521, Martin Luther made his initial appearance at the Diet of Worms which eventually found him to be a heretic and enemy of the state. In what modern country is Worms?

    Answer: Germany.

    Martin Luther, a German priest and theologian, was a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. He challenged the Catholic Church’s teachings, particularly on indulgences and papal authority, and translated the Bible into German, making it more accessible to ordinary people. Luther’s beliefs, emphasising justification by faith alone and the authority of the Bible, laid the foundation for Lutheranism.

    Following on in the theme …

    Two

    Ben Ainslie is the most successful sailor in Olympic history. In what two classes did he win his four gold and one silver medal?

    Answer: Laser and Finn.

    Sir Charles Benedict Ainslie is a British competitive sailor and the most successful Olympian in sailing history. He is CEO of Athena Sports Group and a Patron of the 1851 Trust which supports young people in sailing and STEM education. 

    Three

    List the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle?

    Answer: Eggs, caterpillar larva, pupa and adult (or butterfly).

    Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis through a four-stage life cycle like other holometabolous insects.  Winged adults lay eggs on plant leaves where their caterpillars, or larvae, will feed.  These caterpillars grow rapidly and eventually pupate in a chrysalis.  Once metamorphosis is complete the pupal skin splits revealing the adult butterfly which then climbs out, dries its wings and flies away.

    Four

    Name the planets in the solar system?

    Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

    The Solar System, formed 4.6 billion years ago, consists of the Sun and orbiting bodies, including eight planets. The Sun, comprising 99.86% of the system’s mass, fuses hydrogen into helium, creating the heliosphere. The system also includes dwarf planets, small bodies like asteroids and comets, and natural satellites, or moons.

    Five

    Can you name the states between Louisiana and Ohio in an alphabetical list of US states?

    Answer: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and North Dakota.

    Sixteen states, eight with names starting with M and, eight with N.

    Double Trouble

    Today’s title refers to each question doubling the number of answers. Question one has only one answer which was obvious in the question and then number two asks for two answers. You had to work out that the remaining double each time so four, eight and finally sixteen for question five.

  • Double Trouble

    The first question today relates to the date, April 17th. The rest follows a theme but I’m not going to say what that theme is. 

    Martin Luther appearing before Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, at the Diet of Worms.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    On 17 April 1521, Martin Luther made his initial appearance at the Diet of Worms which eventually found him to be a heretic and enemy of the state. In what modern country is Worms?

    Following on in the theme …

    Two

    Ben Ainslie is the most successful sailor in Olympic history. In what two classes did he win his four gold and one silver medal?

    Three

    List the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle?

    Four

    Name the planets in the solar system?

    Five

    Can you name the states between Louisiana and Ohio in an alphabetical list of US states?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.