Past puzzles / #8
Bonsaily #8
Sunday, 8 November 2026 · the day’s tree: Japanese maple (Momiji, 紅葉)
1. Name a Formula One world drivers’ champion
Target: a title-winning season closest to 1957. For scale: Alain Prost, 1985.
Bullseye answers
- Juan Manuel Fangio · 1957 — 5 titles (1951, 1954–1957); 24 Grand Prix wins to the end of 2025.
- Mike Hawthorn · 1958 — World champion in 1958; 3 Grand Prix wins to the end of 2025.
- Jack Brabham · 1959 — 3 titles (1959, 1960, 1966); 14 Grand Prix wins to the end of 2025.
8 more answers scored Close (70–94). 35 answers were valid in all. Source: F1DB (Formula 1 database) (2025).
2. Name a moon in our Solar System
Target: diameter closest to 1,200 km. For scale: Miranda is about 472 km.
Bullseye answers
- Charon · 1,207 km — Moon of Pluto, 1,207 km (750 mi) across.
- Ariel · 1,158 km — Moon of Uranus, 1,158 km (720 mi) across.
- Umbriel · 1,169 km — Moon of Uranus, 1,169 km (726 mi) across.
- Dione · 1,123 km — Moon of Saturn, 1,123 km (698 mi) across.
5 more answers scored Close (70–94). 151 answers were valid in all. Source: NASA JPL Solar System Dynamics, Planetary Satellite Physical Parameters (via devstronomy/nasa-data-scraper) (2019).
3. Name a chemical element
Target: melting point closest to 700 °C. For scale: Manganese is about 1,246 °C.
Bullseye answers
- Barium · 727 °C — Ba melts at 727 °C (1,341 °F).
- Aluminium · 660 °C — Al melts at 660 °C (1,220 °F).
- Magnesium · 650 °C — Mg melts at 650 °C (1,202 °F).
17 more answers scored Close (70–94). 92 answers were valid in all. Source: Periodic-Table-JSON (Bowserinator) (2024).
4. Name a US state
Target: the 5th state to join the Union. For scale: Ohio is 17th.
Bullseye answers
- Connecticut · 5th — The 5th state: ratified the Constitution in 1788.
- Georgia · 4th — The 4th state: ratified the Constitution in 1788.
- Massachusetts · 6th — The 6th state: ratified the Constitution in 1788.
8 more answers scored Close (70–94). 50 answers were valid in all. Source: Wikipedia, List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union (1959).
5. Name an actress who won the Oscar for Best Actress
Target: a winning film year closest to 1964. For scale: Diane Keaton, 1977.
Bullseye answers
- Julie Andrews · 1964 — Best Actress for Mary Poppins (1964).
- Julie Christie · 1965 — Best Actress for Darling (1965).
- Patricia Neal · 1963 — Best Actress for Hud (1963).
11 more answers scored Close (70–94). 81 answers were valid in all. Source: DLu/oscar_data (Academy Awards database) (2025).
6. Name a country
Target: the 60th most populous. For scale: Ghana is 47th.
Bullseye answers
- Malawi · 60th — 60th most populous: 22.2 million people (2025).
- Burkina Faso · 59th — 59th most populous: 24.1 million people (2025).
- Zambia · 61st — 61st most populous: 21.9 million people (2025).
10 more answers scored Close (70–94). 194 answers were valid in all. Source: World Bank, Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL) (2025).