thanks for the post Bingley,...

The questions you proposed are of course fitting, but..

>1. Nearest star (apart from the Sun)
there are so many names and conflicting data it would be hard to have a definitive answer (I would say alpha Centauri or Proxima Centauri)

>2. Nearest galaxy
I was always told it is Andromeda, but just recently I read/heard that it is merely the closest large galaxy

3&4 go beyond the scope of the questioning (we might get some pro who writes an essay!).

The others are similar to one that came to my mind:
'What is the aurora borealis better known as?' But I don't just want a table with the physicists and/or astronomers to do well.

I'll take that 'galaxy' derivation question Bingley, cheers!

I had also already considered a question on SO 2001, but it is kind of an culturally eclectic bunch, so I'm not sure (anyway what is the name of the computer again? 'H.A.L., P 3000' or something, isn't it?). Then there's Star Wars, Star Trek and a myriad of books (e.g. Hitchhiker's) from which I'll glean a question or two.
Since posting I considered asking a question on 'Across the Universe' by those good old Liverpudlians, or something in that vein.
Any further linguistically orientated conundrums are most welcome!