Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-7-2025 — Vega

17th July, 2025: Vega.

It’s got to be said, I’ve almost finished watching the old Max Headroom series: the US sci-fi series, rather than the UK music show.

And … ?

I have to admit, I’ve come away vaguely impressed with the moody model shots of the unnamed city the series is set in … 

… whilst being aware they’re done on the cheap.

Either way … ?

I like the look of the show.

Granted, it’s Bladerunner on the cheap, but I have to give it credit for effort!

~≈🌃≈~

Yesterday, I told you I’d had a call from a woman calling herself Jennifer: trying to scam me.

After I’d posted?

I had a call to my mobile, on 07927 589 790, from an Indian-accented chap calling himself ‘Stephen Palmer.’

Telling me a Bitcoin account had been opened in my name.

I immediately assumed this was another crypto currency scam: and told him I’d never invested in the thing.

It took me a few minutes: but I managed to politely put the phone down on him.

Two scam calls in the space of two days … seems enthusiastic!

Frankly?

I’m starting to miss the Microsoft Technical Department Scam … !

~≈📞≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum*, Olga† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.


Let’s see how everyone does with today’s [insert number here] question set, shall we?

Here it is, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        17th July saw Vega became the first star, other than the sun, to be what: photographed, videoed or painted?

Q2)        The event happed on 17th July of which year of the 1850s?

Q3)        Vega is in which constellation: Aquila, Lyra or Virgo?

Q4)        Vega is a variable star.   In other words, there are changes in its apparent what: mass, brightness or colour?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Vega is one of three stars known as the Summer Triangle.   Name one of the other two.

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        The first banknotes in Europe were first issued on 16th July.   Of which year of the 1660s?

A1)        1661.

Q2)        The notes were issued by Stockholms Banco: a then central bank.   The bank was in what’s now where: Norway, Sweden or Denmark?

A2)        Sweden.

Q3)        What’s that country’s current currency: the Krona, Euro or Lira?

A3)        The Krona.

Q4)        Banknotes are traditionally made from what: paper, leather or bark?

A4)        Paper.

Q5)        Finally … ?   The US dollar, the pound sterling and the Euro are all what: toilet paper, reserve currencies or cryptocurrencies?

A5)        Reserve currencies.   You can pay international debts with them, in other words.

Here’s a thought …

“Vega has been extensively studied by astronomers, leading it to be termed ‘arguably the next most important star in the sky after the Sun’.”

From the Wikipedia entry about Vega.

And some songs …





The next ten question set is on 25th July: it’s about Galicia.

Comments will be published, tomorrow morning.

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum … !

†        Very true, Olga, very true!   News — and fads — are here, today, gone tomorrow!   That said … ?   Did you ever hear the phrase “I heard from a bloke in the pub”?   The bloke in the pub hears these things well before Facebook!

        Oh, do you remember the death of Jill Dando?   I heard the first Jill Dando death joke, ten minutes after I got to work … on the day of her death.   About half an hour after the news broke.   We can thank old fashioned text messaging for that …

        I was in a school production of The Crucible, many years ago: as an aging farmer called Francis Nurse.   At least I think I was Francis Nurse.   I must have been the only 17th century New England farmer with brass-coloured hair, I know that … 

‡        Oh, there’s a very handy site doing the rounds, Debbi: called Who Called Me.   You can look suspicious numbers up on it.   It’s been helpful: although the two recent calls didn’t show up on it.   I suspect I may have been the first person called from these numbers.

        If the American Way is anything like what the British Empire used to do?   It’s going to involve selling opium to Chinese tea farmers, buying slaves from African tribal chiefs … and setting up the original Concentration camps.   Hitler thought the British Empire was lovely … 

        The English habit of mugging other languages for loan words is mild in comparison.