Last Word is 91av’s long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other’s questions, ranging from the minutiae of everyday life to absurd astronomical hypotheticals. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com
Is short-sightedness found in other animals? Did it affect ancient humans too?
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Simon Pearce
Bromley Cross, Lancashire, UK
Could a massive asteroid that hit Mars or the moon affect Earth? How big would it need to be, and what would happen?
John Rymell
London, UK
To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
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