The Questions…
1. The constellation Canis Major (Latin for greater dog) is represented as one of two dogs following Orion the Hunter. What star in Canis Major is the brightest in the night sky?
2. Cashew nuts are widely available roasted, but are not sold raw or in the shell. Why not?
3. In 1963, the U.S. Postal Service introduced its system of two-letter state abbreviations. In 1969, the USPS changed one of the abbreviations. Which one, and why?
4. Paul Hornung, the high-scoring “Golden Boy” running back of the Green Bay Packers, won the 1956 Heisman Trophy as quarterback for Notre Dame. What fact makes Hornung unique among all Heisman winners through the years?
5. The anaconda, a non-venomous aquatic snake found in tropical South America, can grow to 30 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds. What else is noteworthy about anacondas?
The Answers…
1. The brightest star we see is Sirius (Latin for glowing). Sirius, AKA the “dog star,” is a mere 8.6 light years from Earth.
2. Because the shell of the cashew contains the oil urushiol, the nasty allergen also found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. If you snacked on raw cashews, or shelled them yourself, you would regret it.
3. The designation for Nebraska was changed from NB to NE. It was done at the request of the Canadian postal service because of confusion with the province of New Brunswick.
4. Hornung is the only player to win the Heisman while playing for a losing team. In 1956, Notre Dame was 2-8.
5. Like rattlesnakes, copperheads, and a few other vipers, anacondas give birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
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