Knowledge HUB Q. How did the zodiac signs originate?

A. Astrologers developed the idea of zodiac more than 2,000 years ago. They observed the changing position of stars that accompanied the change in seasons. As astrologers believe that the zodiac influences people’s lives, they used the representation of the zodiac a horoscope. The chart supposedly reveals a person’s character or future. The zodiac consists of 12 divisions called signs. The signs are named for certain group of stars called constellations. They also believe that each sign gets its main characteristics from the planet. Called a ruling planet. For Example, Jupiter rules Sagittarius.

Knowledge HUB-Q. How does the autopilot system work?

A. An autopilot is used to maintain the altitude of an air craft in flight with respect to the surface of the earth. This allows the pilot to fly the aircraft hands-free. The autopilot has gyroscopes, which is used to maintain a fixed direction in inertial space. The autopilot receives inputs from the three control surfaces. All these inputs are ‘stored’ at the time the autopilot system was engaged, and any deviation from the set datum is immediately sensed by the gyroscopes. These gyroscopes provide an error signal to the motor of the concerned movable control surface. Thus, the altitude of the aircraft is maintained.

Q: Which fish can swim the fastest?

A: The fastest fish is the sailfish, an offshore species found in the South Florida waters and in the Gulf Stream. It can drive itself though the water at more than 62mph (100kph), nearly as fast as fastest speedboat. Sailfish are also famous for dramatic way in which they leap great distances out of the water and then come crashing down with giant splash. The fastest sweet water fish is the pike.

Q: Why is a computer mouse called a ‘mouse’?

A: On December 9, 1968, Douglas Engelbart of the Stanford Research Institute unveiled the computer mouse, though no one called it so then. It was known as ‘X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System’. Once Engelbart could point with his ‘Position Indicator’, he was able to develop on-screen windows with menus and hypertext system. The ‘Position Indicator’ was made of wood, had two wheels on the bottom and a single red button on top. Englebart’s team thought the device looked like mouse, and the name stuck.

Q: What’s Dress Circle in Cinema halls?

A: In theatres, main floor seats are called orchestra stalls ot the stalls. And the first balcony above the orchestra in curved sections is called the ‘dress circle’. It is intended for the people in evening (Formal) dress and, hence called the ‘Dress Circle’.

Q: Why is food eaten in the afternoon called lunch and that eaten at night is called dinner?

A: Lunch has its origins in the Spanish word ‘Lonja’. Which means slice of bread or ham. Now lunch is used as shortened form of luncheon (a light meal). ‘Dinner’ is derived from old French word ‘Disner;’ originally meant for breakfast and later for lunch. The Shift from midday to evening began with fashionable classes.