Why do we and many other animals have five digits on each hand and foot? Why not some other number?
Bronwen Jones, via email
Advertisement
听
The constellations are pictures we perceive by 鈥渃onnecting the dots鈥� of random stars, but it seems incredible that we have two dippers in the night sky with similar shapes and proportions. Is this just a coincidence or is there an explanation?
Donna Lindsey, Hugo, Minnesota, US
听
To answer this question 鈥� or ask a new one 鈥� email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
麻豆传媒 retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.