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4 answers

Sol Ⅲ = Earth: What is the origin of this planetary naming scheme?

It appears to be a fairly common planetary naming scheme in science fiction: Take the common name (or its bayer designation) of star and append the planetary ordinal in the form of a Roman or Arabic numeral. I found a good discription in a game…
Alexander
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83
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5 answers

Why did "Moody" suggest to Harry that he should consider becoming an Auror?

"Moody" (Barty Crouch Jr) suggests this to Harry after he is almost caught out of bed in the middle of the night. "You ever thought of a career as an Auror, Potter?" "No," said Harry, taken aback. "You want to consider it," said Moody, nodding and…
Anya Mae
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83
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15 answers

Why can't Transporter technology be used as a weapon?

Seems like this is the most powerful weapon of all: transport your enemy into a bulkhead, planet, etc. Transport your enemy's ship inside a planet, etc. Is there some technical reason that it can not be used this way?
knightscharge
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82
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5 answers

Why didn't Harry want to be placed in Slytherin?

I just read a question regarding Slytherin, then I searched around and found this question and corresponding answers: How far can a Hogwarts student persuade the Sorting Hat? This brings up another question: Why didn't Harry want to go to Slytherin?…
Thomas
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82
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1 answer

What did Godric Gryffindor have a sword for, anyway?

Why did Godric Gryffindor have a sword made for himself in the first place? In the series, the only example of a wizard using muggle weaponry I can think of is Bellatrix Lestrange and her knife - being an evil sadist, she would probably enjoy using…
kviiri
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82
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4 answers

When Did George Lucas make up the stuff about the Sith and Midi-chlorians?

Those of us who saw all the Star Wars movies as they came out have a unique perspective that won't be repeated. We had a lot of time for the SW universe to gel in our minds as being one way before the prequels and books came out (other than a VERY…
Tango
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82
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12 answers

Why didn't Elrond or Círdan take the ring from Isildur by force and destroy it?

'Alas! yes,’ said Elrond. 'Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast then into Orodruin’s fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in that last mortal contest; and…
Petr
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82
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4 answers

What is the viewing order of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica?

I have watched a few random episodes of BSG here and there and really enjoyed it, but now I want to do it right. I want to go back to the start, and watch it all the way through. I understand there is the main series, but have also heard of a…
Adam Harte
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82
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3 answers

Why did Luke use his left hand to shoot?

In A New Hope Detention Center Shoutout scene Luke is clearly shooting with his left hand. Later in this same video at 4:51 he makes a leftie shot more clearly. In The Empire Strikes Back while following Boba Fett, Luke holds a gun (and…
Nikita Neganov
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82
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5 answers

Why was Thor worthy to lift Mjolnir?

Especially in the beginning of the first movie, Thor is brash and often petulant. He seeks the glory of king-hood without understanding or accepting the self-sacrifice and responsibility that such a role requires. He is brave, yet selfish. My…
BlackThorn
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82
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2 answers

What was the tallest structure built in Middle-earth?

I started thinking to myself one day (scary, I know) as to which was taller of the two towers, Orthanc or Barad-dûr. And then I wondered if Minas Tirith might be even taller, which then led me to this question. What's the tallest structure built in…
iMerchant
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82
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4 answers

What's the purpose of the earpiece Agent Smith is wearing?

Apart from the black suit and glasses, an earpiece is one part of the iconic attire of Agent Smith. Throughout the movies we can see him wearing it all the time. But during the famous interrogation scene we see him taking the earpiece out. My…
Mr.SixTwo
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9 answers

Why four lights?

In Chain of Command, Part II Picard is tortured by Madred, a Cardasian who tries to force Picard to tell him there are 5 lights, when in fact the real number is four. He could have used any other method to break Picard’s will, but why four…
AncientSwordRage
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81
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8 answers

Why did the Terminator need sunglasses?

In the original Terminator film, the eponymous villain procures a pair of dark glasses in order to hide his damaged eye socket and red eye. In T2: Judgement Day, the T-800 makes a great show of stealing a pair of glasses from the biker bar owner,…
Valorum
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81
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19 answers

In Stargate, how can you have a point of origin with only one coordinate?

According to this graph when you dial a gate you're telling it not only where to go, but where you are coming from: (Source: Wikipedia) I've always wondered, wouldn't the point of origin also require 6 symbols? For those of you not familiar with…
Jorge Castro
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