Itty-bitty bacteria, big glow

Answer: From ancient mariners down through the centuries came frequent tales of milky seas glowing bluish-white at night and extending as far as the horizon, says "New Scientist" magazine. Now this eerie glow has been spotted from space. When U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's Steve Miller searched through satellite cloud-cover data, he found numerous mentions of the phenomenon but only one documenting the precise time and location — in the northwestern Indian Ocean in 1995. "I didn't really expect to find it," says Miller, "because the light is so weak, but I found a possible match within 30 minutes."

When Miller amplified the signal, a bright structure that followed the sea surface currents popped out. It spanned 15,400 square kilometers (about the size of Connecticut), far larger than any tale-telling sailors had estimated. What's more, it lasted for three consecutive nights. The favorite theory is it's bioluminescence from bacteria associated with micro-algae.

Question: It was 1893 and the ship "Fram" was making an epic attempt to reach the North Pole when along the coast of Siberia a mysterious thing happened. The vessel could manage only 1.5 knots instead of its customary 7, and control of the ship was so bad the captain was forced to travel in loops to escape the area. Yet the weather and water were seemingly calm. ...

Answer: The Fram had encountered what is now called "dead water," where a layer of fresh water from a river emptying into the ocean overlays salt water, creating an unusual double-wave set, says Jearl Walker in "The Flying Circus of Physics." The first set of waves were the usual surface ones, but in addition waves had formed down below along the interface between the two types of water, creating drag upon drag. So the faster the vessel tried to go, the faster its energy was draining away. Plus, its length happened to be such that the rudder was right above a crest of the internal waves, wreaking havoc on maneuverability. End of mystery!

Question: In a word or two, what's the secret to happiness? a) money b) freedom c) social relationships d) being yourself e) self-reliance