Quizology.Online

Tag: space

  • Space Debris—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Today’s questions all relate to February 8th.

    Skylab.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The US space station launched in 1973 and operational until 1974 ceased operations on this date. What was its name and how many weeks was it occupied?

    Answer: Skylab; 24 weeks.

    Skylab, the first U.S. space station, was launched in 1973 and constructed from a repurposed Saturn V stage. It hosted three crews for missions lasting 28, 59, and 84 days, conducting research on human adaptation to space, solar studies, and Earth observations. Skylab’s use came to an end after 171 days and it disintegrated in 1979 due to faster-than-expected orbital decay resulting in debris coming down in the Indian Ocean and Western Australia.

    Two

    Who was executed on this date in 1587, as a suspect in the Babington Plot to murder England’s Queen Elizabeth I?

    Answer: Mary, Queen of Scots.

    Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed at Fotheringhay Castle, England. Her execution was notoriously botched, requiring multiple blows to sever her head. Despite appearing uninvolved, Elizabeth I faced significant backlash for the event and refused Mary’s request for a Catholic burial. A controversial figure throughout her life, she remains the subject of historical debate and public fascination.

    Three

    What film, which premiered in 1915, was hailed for its technical and dramatic innovations but condemned for its overt racism and positive portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan?

    Answer: The Birth of a Nation.

    The Birth of a Nation (1915), a silent film starring Lillian Gish, was a groundbreaking Hollywood blockbuster. While praised for its technical and dramatic innovations, it was also criticised for its racist portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan.

    Four

    In what decade did Sandford Fleming propose at the Royal Canadian Institute the adoption of Universal Standard Time?

    Answer: 1870s.

    In 1879, Fleming proposed a single 24-hour clock for the world, with 24 time zones based on the Greenwich meridian. His system, initially linked to the Greenwich meridian, was later revised to use the anti-meridian. Although the International Meridian Conference adopted the Greenwich Meridian, it rejected Fleming’s time zones.

    Five

    In the biographical film Iris, both Kate Winslet and Judith Dench portrayed the title character. Who was the real Iris?

    Answer: Iris Murdoch.

    Iris Murdoch (1919-1999) was a British novelist and philosopher known for her psychological novels with philosophical and comic elements. Her works, characterised by convoluted plots and realistic observations of 20th-century life, explore the influence of the unconscious mind and societal forces on human behaviour. Murdoch’s novels, plays, verse and philosophical works continue to be celebrated for their intelligence, wit, and high seriousness.

  • Space Debris

    Today’s questions all relate to February 8th.

    Skylab.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The US space station launched in 1973 and operational until 1974 ceased operations on this date. What was its name and how many weeks was it occupied?

    Two

    Who was executed on this date in 1587, as a suspect in the Babington Plot to murder England’s Queen Elizabeth I?

    Three

    What film, which premiered in 1915, was hailed for its technical and dramatic innovations but condemned for its overt racism and positive portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan?

    Four

    In what decade did Sandford Fleming propose at the Royal Canadian Institute the adoption of Universal Standard Time?

    Five

    In the biographical film Iris, both Kate Winslet and Judith Dench portrayed the title character. Who was the real Iris?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • When—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions i posted earlier.

    These questions all relate to today’s date, February 5th. Each question has a year or decade as the first part of the answer, followed by a supplementary question.


    Cartoon depicting Leopold II and other imperial powers at the Berlin Conference of 1884.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In what decade did a European monarch establish the Congo Free State in West Africa? Who was the monarch, and what was the European country?

    Answer: 1880s; Leopold II and Belgium

    Belgian King Leopold II established the Congo Free State in 1885, seizing the land as his personal possession. His brutal reign, characterised by forced labour and widespread atrocities, led to international condemnation and the eventual transfer of control to Belgium in 1908.

    Two

    On this day in what year did Apollo 14 land on the Moon, and name any one of the three astronauts who flew on that mission or all three if you can?

    Answer: 1971; Alan B. Shepard Jr., Stuart A. Roosa or Edgar D. Mitchell

    Apollo 14, the third lunar landing, successfully landed in the Fra Mauro formation after overcoming malfunctions. Shepard and Mitchell collected Moon rocks and deployed experiments, while Roosa orbited the Moon.

    Three

    On this day, the New Hermitage Museum opened in Russia. In what decade did it open, and what—at that time—was the name of the city it is located in?

    Answer: 1850s; Saint Petersburg

    The New Hermitage Museum, part of the larger Hermitage Museum complex in St. Petersburg, was reconstructed between 1840 and 1852 and opened to the public in 1852. The museum is housed within five interconnected buildings, including the Winter Palace and the Small, Old and New Hermitages. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and named St. Petersburg, which it stayed until 1914 when it became Petrograd to reflect Russian patriotism during World War I by avoiding the German-sounding ‘Petersburg’. In 1924, the name changed to Leningrad in honour of Vladimir Lenin after his death, which it was until 1991 when the city’s population voted to return to the original name.

    Four

    United Artists, the American film production company, was founded on this day in what decade? Secondly, name any two of the four founders?

    Answer: 1910s; Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith.

    United Artists, founded in 1919, was established to allow actors more control over their own affairs. It was acquired by MGM in 1981 and later revived as United Artists Releasing in 2019. However, Amazon, MGM’s parent company, folded UAR into MGM in 2023. On 26 July 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced the company’s revival.

    Five

    The creation of the first synthetic plastic was announced on this date. In what decade was this announcement made, and what was the name of this synthetic plastic?

    Answer: 1900s; Bakelite

    Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian chemist, invented Velox photographic paper and Bakelite, a versatile plastic, earning him the title ‘The Father of the Plastics Industry’. Bakelite, developed in 1907, became a commercial success due to its mouldability, heat resistance, and electrical nonconductivity. Its creation revolutionised the chemical industry and inspired the development of other synthetic plastics.

  • When

    These questions all relate to today’s date, February 5th. Each question has a year or decade as the first part of the answer, followed by a supplementary question.

    Contemporary cartoon.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In what decade did a European monarch establish the Congo Free State in West Africa? Who was the monarch, and what was the European country?

    Two

    On this day in what year did Apollo 14 land on the Moon, and name any one of the three astronauts who flew on that mission or all three if you can?

    Three

    On this day, the New Hermitage Museum opened in Russia. In what decade did it open, and what—at that time—was the name of the city it is located in?

    Four

    United Artists, the American film production company, was founded on this day in what decade? Secondly, name any two of the four founders?

    Five

    The creation of the first synthetic plastic was announced on this date. In what decade was this announcement made, and what was the name of this synthetic plastic?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • From One to five—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s batch are simply random questions.

    One

    The International Car Registration Code for the United Kingdom is what?

    Answer: GB

    With a history dating to 1909, International vehicle registration codes, also known as VRI codes, indicate the country of registration. These codes, maintained by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, are used in international traffic and are often based on ISO codes. The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic mandates that vehicles from signatory countries display their country’s distinguishing sign on the rear.

    Two

    Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days, which was first published in French, was originally published in what decade?

    Answer: 1870s

    Jules Verne’s 1872 adventure novel, Around the World in Eighty Days, follows Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe in eighty days.

    Three

    What canal joins the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea?

    Answer: Corinth Canal

    The Corinth Canal, completed in 1893, connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in Greece. Despite its historical significance, the canal’s narrowness and navigational challenges limit its economic importance, making it primarily a tourist attraction.

    Four

    Who was the first human in outer space, and from which present-day country was his historic space flight launched?

    Answer: Yuri Gagarin; Kazakhstan

    Vostok 1, the first human orbital spaceflight, launched on 12 April 1961 with Yuri Gagarin aboard. Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the 108-minute flight completed a single orbit around Earth.

    Five

    What is the correct title of the song often called Starry Starry Night, and who wrote it?

    Answer: Vincent; Don McLean

    Vincent is a song by Don McLean, written as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh. The song, released in 1971, topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked at No. 12 in the United States.

  • From One to five

    The Starry Night.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s batch are simply random questions.

    One

    The International Car Registration Code for the United Kingdom is what?

    Two

    Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days, which was first published in French, was originally published in what decade?

    Three

    What canal joins the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea?

    Four

    Who was the first human in outer space, and from which present-day country was his historic space flight launched?

    Five

    What is the correct title of the song often called Starry Starry Night, and who wrote it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Bonnie or Clyde?—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posed in my earlier post.

    All of today’s questions relate to today’s date, January 14th.

    Bonnie and Clyde, 1967.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in Florida, USA, on this day in 1941, with a film debut in The Happening (1967), one of the stars of Bonnie and Clyde (also 1967), is whom?

    Answer: Faye Dunaway

    Faye Dunaway is an acclaimed American actress with a career spanning Broadway and film. She rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with notable films like Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown, earning an Academy Award for Network. Dunaway later transitioned to mature character roles in independent films and stage performances.

    Two

    In 1939, Queen Maud Land was claimed and named. Which country made this claim on this 1.0-million-square-mile area of Antarctica?

    Answer: Norway

    Queen Maud Land is a 2.7 million square kilometre region of Antarctica claimed by Norway. It is a demilitarised zone within the Antarctic Treaty System, with no permanent population but 12 active research stations. The region is divided into five coasts and is bordered by the British and Australian Antarctic Territories. It is named after the Norwegian Queen Maud (1869–1938).

    Three

    In 1970, The Supremes performed their final concert with whom?

    Answer: Diana Ross

    The Supremes, an American girl group formed in Detroit in 1959, were the most commercially successful act of Motown Records during the 1960s. With Diana Ross as lead singer and Holland-Dozier-Holland as their songwriting and production team, they achieved mainstream success with twelve number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The group disbanded in 1977 after numerous lineup changes.

    Four

    In 2005, which organisation developed the probe that became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Mars, and on which moon of Saturn did it touch down?

    Answers: European Space Agency; Titan

    The Huygens probe spent over two hours descending through Titan’s thick, orange, nitrogen-rich atmosphere before landing, sending back the first-ever images and sounds from the surface of a moon in the outer Solar System.

    Five

    In 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after 52 years on the throne. Her eldest son, the Crown Prince, succeeded her as king. Who was the new king, and in which country did this happen?

    Answer: King Frederick X; Denmark

    Margrethe, Queen of Denmark, is a talented scenographer and costume designer, having designed costumes for the Royal Danish Ballet and films like The Wild Swans and Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction. She has also designed sets and costumes for numerous ballets, including The Nutcracker and The Snow Queen. Additionally, Margrethe is an accomplished painter and has illustrated works like Prince Henrik’s poetry collection and Danish editions of The Lord of the Rings.

  • Bonnie or Clyde?

    All of today’s questions relate to today’s date, January 14th.

    Bonnie and Clyde, 1967.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in Florida, USA, on this day in 1941, with a film debut in The Happening (1967), one of the stars of Bonnie and Clyde (also 1967), is whom?

    Two

    In 1939, Queen Maud Land was claimed and named. Which country made this claim on this 1.0-million-square-mile area of Antarctica?

    Three

    In 1970, The Supremes performed their final concert with whom?

    Four

    In 2005, which organisation developed the probe that became the first spacecraft to land on a celestial body beyond Mars, and on which moon of Saturn did it touch down?

    Five

    In 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after 52 years on the throne. Her eldest son, the Crown Prince, succeeded her as king. Who was the new king, and in which country did this happen?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Bridge Over What Water—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.

    The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges — aka Gateway Bridges — crossing the Brisbane River, 2011.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The pictured ‘Gateway Bridges’ at Brisbane in Queensland, Australia cross what 214 mile (344 km) long river?

    Answer: Brisbane River

    The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, formerly known as the Gateway Bridge, are twin road bridges over the Brisbane River. The original bridge opened in 1986, and the duplicate bridge opened in 2010, carrying twelve lanes of traffic, six in each direction. The western bridge carries northbound traffic while the eastern bridge carries traffic to heading to the south. A toll is imposed on both bridges until 2051.

    Two

    In 1787, William Herschel discovered two Moons which were later named Titania and Oberon.These moons are satellites of which planet?

    Answer: Uranus

    Titania and Oberon, both discovered by William Herschel in 1787, are moons of Uranus. They were later named respectively after the Queen and King of the Fairies in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titania is the largest moon of Uranus and the eighth largest in the Solar System. It’s composed of ice and rock with a rocky core, icy mantle and possibly a liquid water layer at the core-mantle boundary. Its surface, shaped by impacts and internal processes, features canyons and scarps and may have a tenuous carbon dioxide atmosphere. Oberon is the outermost and second-largest moon of Uranus. Like Titania, it’s composed of ice and rock with a dark cratered surface. Voyager 2 provided the only close-up images of Oberon in 1986 mapping 40% of its surface.

    Three

    The Throgs Neck Bridge, which opened in 1961, crosses the East River and links two New York City boroughs. Which two?

    Answer: The Bronx and Queens

    The Throgs (or Throggs) Neck Bridge, a suspension bridge in New York City, connects the Bronx and Queens boroughs. Opened in 1961, it carries six lanes of Interstate 295 over the East River. The bridge, designed by Othmar Ammann, features a centre span of 1,800 feet and is supported by two main cables.

    Four

    In 1935, a renowned aviator achieved the first successful flight from Hawaii to California. Who was this aviator?

    Answer: Amelia Earhart

    On 11 January 1935, Amelia Earhart became the first solo aviator to fly from Honolulu to Oakland in a Lockheed 5C Vega. This feat followed unsuccessful attempts by other aviators including an air race which resulted in three deaths. Earhart’s flight was routine with no mechanical issues.

    Five

    In 1972, this country’s name was changed. It’s now the eighth most populous nation globally and shares a border with the Siliguri Corridor. Which country?

    Answer: Bangladesh

    Bangladesh, officially the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a densely populated country in South Asia. It gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a war for independence. Despite challenges like corruption and climate change, Bangladesh is a middle power with a growing economy and the fourth-largest Muslim population in the world. India’s Siliguri Corridor is a vital land connection between India’s mainland and its northeastern states, crucial for logistics and military movements.

  • Bridge Over What Water

    The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges — aka Gateway Bridges, 2011.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The pictured ‘Gateway Bridges’ at Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, cross what 214-mile (344-km) long river?

    Two

    In 1787, William Herschel discovered two moons which were later named Titania and Oberon. These moons are satellites of which planet?

    Three

    The Throgs Neck Bridge, which opened in 1961, crosses the East River and links two New York City boroughs. Which two?

    Four

    In 1935, a renowned aviator achieved the first successful flight from Hawaii to California. Who was this aviator?

    Five

    In 1972, this country’s name was changed. It’s now the eighth most populous nation globally and shares a border with the Siliguri Corridor. Which country?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.