
When was it first realised that the lit portion of the moon always faces the sun, so moonlight must be reflected sunlight?
Andrew Taubman,
Advertisement
Sydney, Australia

In the comics, Thor spins his hammer very fast and hurls it into the air, allowing him to be pulled into flight. Could you make a machine that “flew” using such a principle?
Paul Gray,
Hertfordshire, UK
To answer this question – or ask a new one – 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.
鶹ý 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.