Interesting Facts - Page 79

Stuxnet is a computer worm first identified in 2010. The worm infected 100,000s of Windows computers worldwide. Eventually it found itself on the computers that controlled Iran's uranium enrichment centrifuges. The worm activated and caused the centrifuges to spin out of control. In all, 20% of Iran's centrifuges were destroyed, setting back Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. It is widely believed that Stuxnet was developed by the U.S. or Israeli government.

Ögedei Khan was the third son of a Genghis Khan. A notorious drunk, at some point he promised to limit the number of cups he drank each night. Later regretting his decision, he had extra-large cups made for his own personal use. He died in 1241, possibly of alcohol poisoning.

Mongolia has more horses than people.

The Mongols might have conquered Western Europe had it not been for the sudden death of Ögedei Khan in 1241. Ögedei had given one of his generals (Batu) permission to conquer Europe all the way to the "Great Sea". But when Ögedei died, Batu called off the attack and returned to Mongolia for the election of a new Khan.

The orbit of Venus is closest to the orbit of Earth. However, due to motions of the planets, Mercury is usually closer to Earth than Venus.