REACH A Space Podcast for Kids

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Max in Illinois who asks "What Do Exoplanets Look Like?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Doug Hudgins, Program Scientist for NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters.

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/organization-and-staff/staff-bios/dr-douglas-hudgins

We’d also like to offer thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place, along with Calla Cofield and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Alise Fisher at NASA Headquarters.

NASA Space Place: What is an Exoplanet?

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/all-about-exoplanets/en/

NASA: All about Exoplanets

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/  

We are thrilled to launch the new season of REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids with Dr. James Green,  formerly NASA’s Chief Scientist and now NASA Scientist and Senior Advisor and host of the Gravity Assist Podcast, who shared his experience and expertise on everything from starting  NASA’s first internet and conducting groundbreaking research, to having an asteroid named after him, and more. Then we are lucky enough to be visited by a Comet (as voiced by the incomparable Kay Cannon) - all on this episode of REACH.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. James Green, NASA Scientist and Senior Advisor and host of the Gravity Assist podcast. Listen to Gravity Assist via NASA.gov or wherever you get your podcasts.

Comet was voiced by the incomparable Kay Cannon, who you know from the Pitch Perfect films and as the writer/director of Cinderella starring Camila Cabello available to stream now on Amazon Prime. Follow Kay online at @KayKayCannon.

We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Liz Landau, and to everyone at NASA Space Place.

Dr. James Green:

https://www.nasa.gov/offices/ocs/chief-scientist_bio

Dr. James Green: TED Talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/james_green_3_moons_and_a_planet_that_could_have_alien_life#t-20694

NASA Gravity Assist Podcast

https://www.nasa.gov/gravity-assist

All about Comets

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/comet-quest/en/

The next season of REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is launching into your ears January 25th, 2022. Make sure you're subscribed wherever you get podcasts. 

Reach: A Space Podcast for Kids is a weekly, family friendly exploration of our galaxy (and beyond!) with hosts Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien. Built for kids and based on questions from kids, Reach educates with entertaining segments, fun at-home experiments, and interviews presented in association with subject matter experts & thought partners from leading institutions like the Adler Planetarium, Cosmosphere, Exploration Place, and more. Subscribe today, and get knowledge...within your Reach. 

Do you have a space related question for a future episode of our Reaching Out mini-episodes? Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402. Then leave us a message with your first name, where you're from, and your space-related question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. We can also accept your questions via email! Just send us your first name, where you’re from, and what question you’d like answered at [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter  and Instagram for more  or go to www.reachthepodcast.com

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On Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids was given the distinct honor of interviewing NASA Astronauts Megan McArthur and Mark Vande Hei onboard the International Space Station LIVE via NASA TV. We discussed what it's like to live in space, work on the ISS, and asked questions from REACH’s middle-grade listeners. We are thrilled to present this conversation in its entirety on today's episode. If you like the conversation, don't forget to give it a share and drop us a review in your podcast player of choice. 

Special thanks to NASA Astronauts Megan McArthur and Mark Vande Hei. 

You can follow Megan via @Astro_Megan, and Mark at @Astro_Sabot.

We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Victoria Ugalde and Rodrigo Mireles at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, to Kay Ferrari and Calla Cofield at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and to everyone at NASA Space Place.

Learn about NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/k-megan-mcarthur

Learn about NASA Astronaut Mark Vande Hei: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/mark-t-vande-hei

Learn about NASA Astronauts: 
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

Learn about the International Space Station: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html or follow on social media via @Space_Station.

Learn about REACH in Daddy’s Digest
https://daddysdigest.com/article/interstellar-conversation-nasa-astronauts-live-from-iss

Learn about REACH in the Chicago Sun-Times
https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/9/3/22652930/space-podcast-connects-kids-nasa-astronauts-international-space-station

We’d also like to offer a special thanks to our ongoing partners and collaborators:

The Cosmosphere International Science Center & Space Museum
https://cosmo.org/

The Adler Planetarium
https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

The Kids Listen Community
https://www.kidslisten.org/

Exploration Place
https://exploration.org/

NASA Space Place
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/

You can find Madison's podcast All Things Madison at:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things-madison-podcast/id1512260906

and Olivia's podcast Curious Kid Podcast at:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/curious-kid-podcast/id1437708666

And a very spacial thanks to:

Janet Davidson-Marshall
Liz Anderson
Jesse Case
Steven Lyons
Beth Kligerman
Joalda Morancy
Suzanna Stapler
Kate Evans, CBC Radio
The REACH Learning Community
And all of our guests

Stay tuned for Season 3 coming October 2021!

Mark your calendars:..  

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids will be broadcasting LIVE with the crew orbiting the Earth aboard the International Space Station!

NASA Astronauts Megan McArthur and Mark Vande Hei will join hosts Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien from the ISS for a truly interstellar conversation. They'll discuss what it's like to live in space, work on the ISS, and answer questions from our amazing listeners.

The broadcast is targeting Wednesday, September 1st via NASA TV (stay tuned for specific timing via our social channels @reachthepodcast). Our thanks to the teams at NASA for this incredible opportunity, and remember to subscribe to REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids wherever you get your podcasts!

The school year and this season of REACH may be over, but that doesn't mean we're not still excited to talk about space! This week we bring you the REACH Summer Break Special featuring an amazing conversation with NASA Astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren and a visit from the classiest of moons, Callisto ( Niki Lindgren Moran)  - all on this episode of REACH.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Joalda Morancy, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Additional audio processing by the amazing Steve Blizin. 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to NASA Astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren. You can follow Kjell on Twitter at @Astro_Kjell, and on behalf of everyone at REACH, thanks again to Kjell for joining us on the show.

Callisto was voiced by the incomparable Niki Lindgren Moran, who’s an alum of the legendary Second City, and has appeared on shows like ER.

We’d also like to offer a special thanks to John Stephen, Courtney Beasley, and Megan Sumner in NASA’s Public Affairs Office, to Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and to everyone at NASA Space Place.

Learn more about Dr. Kjell Lindgren at: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/kjell-n-lindgren/biography

NASA Astronauts at: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

NASA’s Artemis Team: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-team

To learn more about NASA’s Artemis program, visit www.nasa.gov/artemisprogram, or follow on social media via @NASAArtemis.

All about Callisto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callisto_(moon)

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com 

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from James and Eli in California who ask "What is the Big Bang?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Phil Korngut, Instrument Scientist on NASA's SPHEREx Mission and Research Scientist at the Observational Cosmology Laboratory at Caltech

Special thanks to NASA Space Place and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory  

NASA Space Place: What is the Big Bang?

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/big-bang/en/

NASA’s SPHEREx mission

https://spherex.caltech.edu

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/spherex

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

Humans first landed on the moon in 1969. As we prepare to return for the first time in almost fifty years, we have some questions about the technology that will get us there for returning special guest Michael Staab. Then we are lucky enough to be visited by the star Proxima Centauri (Woke, New Girl's Lamorne Morris) and hear a new audio essay from our own Joalda Morancy - all on this episode of REACH.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Joalda Morancy, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Michael Staab, Fault Management and System Autonomy Principal Engineer for Lunar Missions at Northrop Grumman.

Proxima Centauri was voiced by the incredible Lamorne Morris, who you know from the show New Girl. Hulu's Woke, and the QCODE action-comedy series Unwanted.

Special thanks to Mimi Meredith, Michele McCartney, JoAnna Strecker, and Jim Remar at the Cosmosphere International Science Center and Space Museum for sharing the Build a Better Lander Activity from the Cosmosphere Camps. To learn more about Cosmosphere Camps, visit https://cosmo.org and @kscosmosphere.

Special thanks to NASA Space Place and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

Build a Better Lander Activity

via www.cosmo.org

During this activity, kids are invited to build a model lunar lander that is safe for 6 astronauts (represented by small marshmallows). During the Cosmosphere’s Lunar Base camp, kids will experience activities like these as they learn about the Moon.

In 1969, we landed the first two people on the Moon: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Now, NASA wants to go back to the Moon and needs a new design for the lunar lander. First, NASA will build a prototype of the lunar lander to be sure it is safe for the astronauts. Here are the constraints they must consider in building the model:

1. There is no atmosphere on the Moon, so the design cannot use any parachutes.
2. You will be using six small marshmallows to represent your astronauts and a styrofoam cup to represent the cockpit. To make sure it is safe, we need to see how the marshmallows react to the landing. You cannot cover the top of the cup or restrain the astronauts (marshmallows) in any way.
3. A successful landing means that the lunar lander lands upright with all six astronauts still inside the cockpit. If the lander tips over, it is not safe for the astronauts. If some of the astronauts bounce out of the cup, the landing was too hard and unsafe.
4. You will follow the Engineering Design Process, listed below, to create these prototype lunar landers.

Engineering Design Process

1. Ask: How do we land six astronauts (marshmallows) safely on the moon?
2. Imagine: Gather your materials. You will need small marshmallows and a styrofoam cup. Brainstorm about other materials you could use. Some suggested items include: masking tape, cardboard, straws, and notecards.
3. Plan: Sketch a picture of your lunar lander. Label all the major components and what you will use to build them.
4. Create: Build the lunar lander.
5. Experiment: Stand up and drop the lunar lander with the astronauts inside the styrofoam cup. Note what happens when it lands. Ask an adult to drop the lunar lander from a taller height (from a step stool or small ladder).
6. Improve: Brainstorm ways to improve the lunar lander. What is causing it to tip over? Why are the astronauts bouncing out of the cup?
7. Repeat: Keep experimenting and improving until you are satisfied with your lunar lander. 

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com 

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we are celebrating  Earth Day and what NASA is doing to study global climate change with some help from Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum, Chief of the Hydrological Sciences Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Nate DuFort, with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks: 

Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum, Chief of the Hydrological Sciences Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Katie Atkinson, Audio Storytelling Lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

To learn more about NASA’s Earth Day initiatives including activities, coloring pages, and more visit www.nasa.gov/earth-day-2021

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

What can satellites teach us about preserving life on Earth? What can whales teach us about climate change? On this episode of REACH we talk to  Steve Iris at the Canadian Space Agency to find out more. Then we get some special visits from a black hole (Reply All's Alex Goldman) and  Saturn's largest moon Titan (Star Trek: Lower Decks and Space Force's Tawny Newsome) - all on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Steve Iris, Manager of Applications and Utilization at the Canadian Space Agency. To learn more about the CSA’s smartWhales initiative, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency/news/2021/01/data-from-space-could-help-protect-the-endangered-north-atlantic-right-whale.html. 

The Black Hole was voiced by the incredible Alex Goldman, co-host of the Reply All podcast from Spotify and Gimlet Media. Subscribe to Reply All wherever you find your podcasts, and follow the show on Twitter at @ReplyAll.

Titan was voiced by the incomparable Tawny Newsome, who you know from the hit shows Space Force on Netflix and Star Trek: Lower Decks. Follow Tawny on Twitter at @TrondyNewman. 

Special thanks to Marie-Eve Roy at the Canadian Space Agency. Follow the CSA on Twitter at @csa_asc, and visit https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca to learn about the CSA’s exciting initiatives and programs.

And special thanks to Nicky Middleton at Brainspace, the interactive magazine for kids ages 8-14 designed to launch young minds into big thinking. Learn more at https://brainspacemagazine.com.

Thanks as always to NASA Space Place and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com 

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Ella who asks "What causes the seasons?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Josh Fisher, Science Lead, ECOSTRESS Mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Space Place: All about the Seasons https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/seasons/en/

Ecostress https://ecostress.jpl.nasa.gov/

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

How do you prepare for space travel? Have you ever thought about what happens if you have an emergency in space?  Today's guest, Teresa Sindelar, Medical Operations Crew Training Instructor at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. helps astronauts train for just that. Then special contributor Joalda Morancy has some thoughts on space settlements. And we receive a visit from the Gemini Twins on an all new "Did You Know...?"  - all on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien, Brian Holden and Joalda Morancy. 

Special Contributor: Joalda Morancy 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Teresa Sindelar, Medical Operations Crew Training Instructor at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

The Gemini Twins were voiced by the amazing Kylee Evans and Sandy Jobin-Bevans, who co-host the television game show Just Like Mom and Dad. You know Kylee as Stephanie Borden on the Hallmark series Good Witch, and Sandy stars in the upcoming sitcom The Parker Andersons. Follow Kylee on Instagram at @KyleeEvansHere, and follow Sandy on Instagram at @SandyJBevans.

Special thanks to Mimi Meredith, Michele McCartney, Chuck McClary and JoAnna Strecker at the Cosmosphere International Science Center and Space Museum for sharing the Astronaut Training Neutral Buoyancy Activity at the Cosmosphere Camps. To learn more about Cosmosphere Camps, visit https://cosmo.org and @kscosmosphere.

Thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place, and Kay Ferrari from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

All about NASA Astronaut Training

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvT3hMVrSzs

All about NASA Careers

https://www.nasa.gov/careers

All about NASA Medical and Clinical

https://www.nasa.gov/content/medical-and-clinical

Neutral Buoyancy Activity

via Cosmosphere Camps

www.cosmo.org

@kscosmosphere

Background: In order to train for doing spacewalks in microgravity environments, astronauts conduct simulated spacewalks in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) in Houston. The NBL is a giant pool which contains a model of the International Space Station. Astronauts put on spacesuits and the correct amount of weight to make them float in one spot without moving up or down. This simulates the microgravity environment on the International Space Station. In the Cosmosphere Camp, Mission: Astro Lab, students receive SCUBA training and conduct microgravity missions much like an astronaut.

In this activity, students will make their own neutral buoyancy device, essentially like a submarine’s ballast tank. These are large tanks inside the sub that are filled with some water and some air. If they want to make the sub float, they let water out of the tanks. If they want it to sink, they put water in the tanks. 

Supplies

• Plastic water bottle
• Push pin
• Pennies
• Duct tape
• About 14 inches of flexible plastic tubing

Instructions

• Use a push pin to poke three holes in the middle of one side of the bottle. Then use the pin to make the holes larger.
• Put about 2 inches of plastic tube into the bottle, then use duct tape to seal it into the mouthpiece.
• Your ballast tank is almost done, but it needs some weight to make it sink when you take the air out. You can use duct tape to attach pennies to the side of the bottle. Experiment with the best place on the bottle to attach the pennies. For instance, does it work better if the pennies are on the same side as the holes? The opposite side? Both sides? How many pennies do you need? Should they all be in the same spot?

Now, when you put the bottle into the water with the holes down, water will go inside the bottle, making it sink. When you blow air into the bottle, water will leave, making it float.

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Miriam in Waterloo, Ontario who asks "Why does Saturn have rings?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

All about Saturn’s Rings

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/saturn/in-depth/#:~:text=Saturn's%20rings%20are%20thought%20to,another%20material%20such%20as%20dust

To learn more about Saturn, visit 

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/saturn/overview/

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

We talk to each other via technology, our phones, computers, and tablets, almost every day.  Do you ever wonder how our voices and information actually get transmitted through our devices and to their intended destinations?  Well, what if we wanted to send information to the other side of the solar system?  We talk to special guest Germaine Aziz about just that.  Then the center of the solar system stops by for an all new "Did You Know...?"  AND we talk about the importance of PI - all on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to:

Germaine Aziz, Deep Space Network Aperture Enhancement Project System Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To learn more about NASA’s Deep Space Network, visit https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/services/networks/deep_space_network/about.

Visit DSN Now at https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html

The Sun was voiced by the legendary Rachel Dratch, who you know from her many years on Saturday Night Live and so much more. Follow Rachel on Twitter @TheRealDratch

Thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place, and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

NASA Space Place https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/

NASA’s Pi Day Challenge https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/nasapidaychallenge

18 Ways NASA uses Pi 

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/list/oh-the-places-we-go-18-ways-nasa-uses-pi/

DSN Uplink Downlink Game https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/dsn-game/en

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com 

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Brooklyn in Illinois who asks "What is gravity?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Felix Landerer, Project Scientist of NASA’s GRACE Follow-On satellite mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Landerer/

We’d also like to offer thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place, along with Jane Lee and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

To learn more about NASA’s GRACE-FO, please visit:

https://gracefo.jpl.nasa.gov/

To learn more gravity, visit NASA Space Place at 

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/what-is-gravity/en/

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

We all have a lot of questions when it comes to space exploration:  Where should we go? What should we pack? What are the ethical questions we should be considering? Wait..what? This week special guest  Dr. Lucianne Walkowicz walks us through some of the questions we should be asking  in regards to space exploration. Then we're lucky enough to get a surprise drop in from the seventh planet from the sun - all on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to:

Dr. Lucianne Walkowicz, Astronomer at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Follow Lucianne on Twitter @RocketToLulu, and learn more about the Just Space Alliance at https://justspacealliance.org. 

Uranus was voiced by the incomparable Ithamar Enriquez, who you know from Marvel’s WandaVision on Disney+, and can also be seen in Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Follow Ithamar on Twitter @IthamarEnriquez.

Thanks to our friends at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium who have an amazing podcast of their own, The Aquarius Project Podcast. Stick around after the credits this week to hear a trailer for the exciting story of the Aquarius Project available wherever you get your podcasts.. And to learn more about the Adler, visit https://www.adlerplanetarium.org or on Twitter at @AdlerPlanet.

And as always, a big thanks to the REACH learning community. Thanks Blythe, Bella, and Madison from fellow Kids Listen show All Things Madison available wherever you get podcasts.

To learn all about Uranus, visit: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/uranus/overview. 

Parastronaut Feasibility Project:

https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Astronaut_Selection/Parastronaut_feasibility_project

Space Junk: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/01/12/removing-space-junk

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Dee in Arkansas who asks "How Can I Become an Astronomer?"  For an answer, we turn to REACH Special Contributor Joalda Morancy .

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to the latest addition to the REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids team, Joalda Morancy, for sharing her passion and tons of great space education resources. Look for Joalda as a Special Contributor for upcoming episodes of REACH. You can follow Joalda on Twitter  @solarrsystem

To view some of Joalda's favorite YouTube videos, follow the links below:

• Astronaut Chris Hadfield making a peanut butter and honey sandwich on the International Space Station:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-knoQh0kB20
• A music video Chris Hadfield made while in space, covering Space Oddity by David Bowie:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo
• This video comparing the sizes of different objects in the universe (which makes her think about how small we are!):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i93Z7zljQ7I

And as always, we encourage you to check out the incredible resources at NASA Space Place at  https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/light-year/en/

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

We've learned about the Mars Perseverance Rover, but how will the rover actually get to the surface of the red planet?  Guest Gregory Villar, EDL Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, walks us through the landing before we have a return visit from the red planet itself on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to:

Gregory Villar, EDL Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregoryvillar.

Mars was voiced by the great Randy Havens, who you know as Mr. Clarke on Stranger Things, and can also be seen in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Halt and Catch Fire. Follow Randy on Twitter @MrRandyHavens.

Thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place, and Kay Ferrari and Andrew Good at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

To learn more about NASA’s Mars 2020 mission and Perseverance rover, visit https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020. 

For a description of the Mars 2020 landing, visit https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/timeline/landing/entry-descent-landing/

All about Mars: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/mars/overview

Join the Mission to Mars Student Challenge with the Mars 2020 STEM Toolkit:

https://www.nasa.gov/stem/nextgenstem/moon_to_mars/mars2020stemtoolkit

Make a Paper Mars Helicopter:

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-paper-mars-helicopter/

Mars-related games and activities via NASA Space Place: 

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/mars/

Play the Explore Mars game via NASA Space Place:

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/explore-mars/en/

Send your name to Mars on a future NASA mission:

https://mars.nasa.gov/participate/send-your-name/future

And as always, a big thank you to our REACH learning community . Thanks this week to Orin, Rosie,  Pepper,  Ocelia,  and Keira. 

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com 

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Owen in Michigan who asks "What is a light-year?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Doug Hudgins, Program Scientist for NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters. https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/organization-and-staff/staff-bios/dr-douglas-hudgins

We’d also like to offer thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place, along with Calla Cofield and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

To learn more about light-years, visit NASA Space Place at  https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/light-year/en/

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

Could life exist on other worlds? What if the answer could be found on an ice covered moon of Jupiter? If you could go anywhere in the solar system, where would you go? We discuss all of this and more and have a visit with a very popular moon on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to:

Dr. Cynthia B. Phillips, Europa Project Staff Scientist and Science Communications Lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Io was played by good friend Jaime Moyer who you may know from voicing two characters on Bob's Burgers, NBC’s A.P. Bio, Modern Family and K.C. Undercover. Follow her on Twitter @Jaime_Moyer 

Our friends at NASA Space Place, and Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

To learn more about the NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission, visit https://europa.nasa.gov/

All about Europa: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/europa/en/

All about Io: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/io/overview/

NASA’s “Scientist for a Day” Essay Contest: https://rps.nasa.gov/scientist-for-a-day/

At-home activity: Looking for Life: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/looking-for-life/

Check-out NASA’s Ocean Currents Game: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ocean-currents/en/

And as always, a big hooray to our REACH learning community. Thank you to Hank and Ari. You can hear Hank and his mother Phoebe on their podcast The Adventures of Power Dog in Dogland!  and you can hear Ari on his podcast At Your Level both available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com 

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Hunter and Greta in Minnesota who ask "Is Time Travel Possible?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Alina Kiessling, Astrophysicist and Dr. Jason Rhodes, Senior Research Scientist: both from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

We’d also like to offer thanks to our friends at NASA Space Place as well as Kay Ferrari at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

To learn more about time travel, visit NASA Space Place at: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/time-travel/en/

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

What makes a space telescope different from a telescope here on Earth? If you could take a picture of anything in space, what would you photograph?  We discuss all of this and more and have a visit with our favorite former planet on this episode of REACH. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Casting Consultant: Beth Kligerman 

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Thank you to Dr. Eric Smith, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Program Scientist, and Astrophysics Division Chief Scientist. To learn more about space telescopes check out the links below. 

Pluto was voiced by the incredible Jack McBrayer who you may know from his amazing work inWreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Disney’s Wander Over Yonder, NBC’s 30 Rock and so much more. 

Special thanks to: 

Natasha Pinol, Communications Chief for the James Webb Space Telescope Program

Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

To learn more about the NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, visit https://www.jwst.nasa.gov  

Key Facts translated in 40 different languages: https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/features/keyFactsInternational/

All about Pluto: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/pluto/overview/

Hubble Inspires: https://www.nasa.gov/content/hubble-inspires-online-activities

How Telescopes Work: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/telescopes/en/

James Webb Space Telescope juried art: https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/features/jwstArt/

And as always, a big hooray to our REACH learning community. Thank you to Rosie, Orin, Ocie, and Blythe. 

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

The next season of REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is launching into your ears January 19th, 2021. Make sure you're subscribed wherever you get podcasts. 

Reach: A Space Podcast for Kids is a weekly, family friendly exploration of our galaxy (and beyond!) with hosts Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien. Built for kids and based on questions from kids, Reach educates with entertaining segments, fun at-home experiments, and interviews presented in association with subject matter experts & thought partners from leading institutions like the Adler Planetarium, Cosmosphere, Exploration Place, and more. Subscribe today, and get knowledge...within your Reach. 

Follow us on Twitter  and Instagram for more  or go to www.reachthepodcast.com

This week on REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids we present the first episode of the new season of fellow Soundsington Media show Unspookable entitled "Book of the Dead.".  (Recommended for ages 8+) 

Unspookable is a family friendly look at the histories and mysteries behind your favorite scary stories, myths and urban legends. Each week host Elise Parisian discusses such topics as Bloody Mary, Charlie Charlie, and Ouija Boards to find the stories behind the scares.  

Unspookable - Book of the Dead 

What do you think of when you hear the word mummy? Some of us may imagine a bandaged figure, arms outstretched, stumbling through the desert, but did you know that mummification of the dead served another purpose? Mummification is just a small part of a sacred ritual of Going Forth By Day as captured in something we call The Egyptian Book of the Dead. But this is no book at all as we will find out on this episode of Unspookable. 

Host: Elise Parisian

Written by: Ellenor Riley-Condit

Created, Produced, Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music Direction and Composition: Jesse Case: https://www.jessecasemusic.com/

Logo by: Natalie Khuen http://nataliek.myportfolio.com

You can find Unspookable on Twitter and Instagram at:
https://twitter.com/ImUnspookable
https://www.instagram.com/unspookablepodcast/

Unspookable is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Alin in Romania who asks "What Are Neutron Stars?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On this episode of REACH, Brian and Meredith learn what it takes to be an astronaut from a very special guest, we hear some space related jokes from the REACH Learning Community, and we have a visit from TWO planets in our segment "Did You Know...?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to NASA Astronaut and U.S. Navy Commander Matthew Dominick. On behalf of everyone at REACH, thanks again to Matthew for joining us on the show. 

We’d also like to offer a thanks to Jennifer Hernandez and everyone at NASA’s Public Affairs Office, and to Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Learn more about Matthew Dominick at :

https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/matthew-dominick

And more about all NASA Astronauts at:  https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

For space-inspired, at-home creative activities: NASA’s Space Place is launching an art challenge! Each month, Space Place readers will get a new drawing prompt, from which Space Place will feature select drawings on their website.

For more info, visit

 https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/art-challenge

.

Venus was voiced by our very own Starkid, the incomparable Darren Criss, who you know as Blaine Anderson on the hit television show Glee and on the Quibi series Royalties. You can find Darren online at @darrencriss.

Jupiter was voiced by the legendary Sean Astin who you know from unforgettable movies like The Goonies, Rudy, and of course The Lord of the Rings trilogy and television series such as No Good Nick and Stranger Things. Find Sean online at @seanastin. 

And as always, a big hooray to our REACH learning community for the really fun space jokes! Thanks to James and Blythe and Bella who you can regularly hear on the Soundsington Media podcast Unspookable. giving their takes on the origins of urban legends and scary stories.

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Megan in Perth Australia who asks "How are solar systems formed?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On this episode of REACH, Brian and Meredith learn the importance of teamwork when problem solving in space, what it means to curate a museum collection, we have a visit from the fastest planet, and then try to make a telescope at home. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Shannon Whetzel, Curator at the Cosmosphere International Science Center and Space Museum, which is the only place in the Midwest where you can see flown spacecrafts from all three early spaceflight programs. Discover more at cosmo.org.

Mercury was voiced by the amazing Dan Saks. Dan is a musician and music educator as well as the host and producer of Noodle Loaf, a popular music education podcast for kids and grown ups alike. Noodle Loaf is available on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts. You can also find Dan’s latest book entitled Families Belong at noodleloaf.com or wherever books are sold.

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community: Blythe and Merrick. You can hear more of Merrick weekly on the Hello Family podcast available wherever you get podcasts. and more of Blythe on Soundsington Media's own Unspookable.

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Build Your Own Telescope Activity

You will need:

• two small dollar store magnifying glasses (it works best if one is larger than the other but not necessary)
• a cardboard tube - paper towel roll or gift-wrapping paper roll (it helps if it is long)
• duct tape or other strong tape
• scissors
• a ruler, or tape measure
• sheet of paper with print on it like a newspaper, magazine, or even a book 

Here's what you need to do:

• Get the two magnifying glasses and a sheet of printed paper.
• Hold one of your magnifying glasses between you and printed paper. The image of the print will may blurry, but that's okay.
• Hold the second magnifying glass between your eye and the first magnifying glass.
• Move the second glass until the print comes into focus where you will see that the print is both larger and upside down.
• Have a friend or family member measure the distance between the two magnifying glasses and write the distance down.
• Cut a slot in the cardboard tube about one inch away from the front opening, but do not cut all the way through the tube. The slot should be wide enough to hold the first magnifying glass.
• Cut your second slot in the tube the same distance from the first slot as your friend or family member wrote down. This is where your second magnifying glass will go.
• Place the two magnifying glasses in their slots and tape them in with the duct tape
• Leave approximately 1 inch of tube behind the second magnifying glass and cut off any excess tube remaining.
• Check to see that it works by looking at the printed page. You may have to adjust slightly to get the exact distances between the two glasses right so that the image comes to a focus.

We'll post a photo of Brian and Meredith's telescope on our Instagram and if you're having issues we found a lot of similar plans online with the google search "how to build a telescope at home" ranging from simple like ours to very detailed plans.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Ryan in Philadelphia who asks "What is a shooting star?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On this episode of REACH, Brian and Meredith learn about skywatching with a little help from some friends, we have a visit from the coolest planet,  and a fun activity you can do day or night! 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to our great friend Nick Lake, Manager of Theater Experience and Presentation at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. You can catch Nick’s Skywatch Weekly videos on YouTube, and learn more about the Adler by visiting www.adlerplanetarium.org.

And here are some great Skywatching tips from NASA

Neptune was portrayed by the amazing Eric O’Keeffe, co-creator and host of What If World, a storytelling podcast for kids. Follow the show online at www.whatifworldpodcast.com or wherever you get podcasts 

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community: Blythe and Olivia. You can hear more of Olivia on the Curious Kid podcast and more of Blythe on Soundsington Media's own Unspookable.

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Millie in Canada (via her big brother Abi) who asks "Why is our sky blue, but space is black?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Geza Gyuk quote via www.livescience.com 

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On this episode of REACH , Brian and Meredith learn more about the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover from a very special guest, we have an activity that will make you want to suit up, and we get a visit from the sixth planet from the sun. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Christina Hernandez, Mars 2020 PIXL Instrument Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Follow Christina online Christina Hernandez, Mars 2020 PIXL Instrument Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Follow Christina online @estrellasycafe

Saturn was voiced by the great Gary Jones, who you may know from his recurring role as Walter Harriman on Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Follow Gary online at @TheGaryJones

And thanks as well to Daniel Bateman, Public Programs Manager at Exploration Place for this week’s at-home activity. To learn more about Exploration Place, visit www.wxploration.org

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community: Olivia, Brady, Jaguar, Clara, Carter, Mirabel and all of our friends from the Cool Facts About Animals, Book Power for Kids, and Curious Kid podcasts. Find links to all of these great shows in our show notes. 

Skywatching tips for August:

https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/planner.cfm

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Will and Jack from Charlotte who ask "How many Earths fit in the Sun?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On this episode of REACH , Brian and Meredith learn about NASA's Mars 2020 Mission and more as we are joined by an expert in launching these missions and receive a very special visit from the red planet itself on our segment "Did You Know...?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Thanks to Michael Staab,  Fault Management and System Autonomy Engineer for Lunar Missions at Northrop Grumman. For more on his work, you can follow Michael  on Twitter @AstroStaab

This Thursday, join the Cosmosphere and Michael for a virtual broadcast featuring live insights & commentary about the Perseverance rover and Mars 2020 mission. Event begins at 6.30 CST (time subject to change). Mark your calendars!

Click this link to follow the Mars 2020 Mission and the journey of the Perseverance Rover.

Mars was played by the always amazing Randy Havens. You can catch Randy on Netflix’s Stranger Things as everyone’s favorite science teacher, Mr. Clarke. Follow Randy online @MrRandyHavens

And a big thanks to our friend Sarah Smail and Chicago’s Adler Planetarium for this week’s at-home activity. To see the detailed Mars surface that Sarah mentioned you can visit NASA's site at this link. And for more information on Sarah and  Adler Planetarium visit adlerplanetarium.org 

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community: Thanks Blythe and Desmond! 

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's questions comes from Addison in Canada and Alex in Utah who have questions about Pluto and about stars which we answer with a little help from Dr. Aaron Geller. 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On this episode of REACH  Brian and Meredith ask the questions "What is an Exoplanet?," "What does the hashtag #BlackinAstro mean?," and more before we are joined by an expert Astrochemist and Planetary Scientist and a very special visit from our closest celestial neighbor  on a segment entitled "Did You Know...?"

This week's Activity from Ashley Walker:

• We want to see your Exoplanet! Using materials around the house make your own planet and give it a name. Get creative!
• Then take a photo of your Exoplanet and send it to the show at [email protected] or by tagging us on Twitter or Instagram @ReachThePodcast

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Thanks to Ashley Walker (Ashley Lindalía),  Astrochemist, Planetary Scientist, and Intern at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. For more on Ashley's work and the latest on #BlackinAstro follow Ashley on Twitter @That_Astro_Chic

The Moon was played by Marc Evan Jackson. You may know Marc from his work on NBC’s The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or Netflix’s The Babysitters Club. Marc is also the President and Co-founder of The Detroit Creativity Project whose Improv Project offers training in communication, collaboration, and relationship building skills to students in Detroit schools. To find out more please go to www.detroitcreativityproject.org

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community: Thanks Bella and Blythe!

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Zoë from Toronto who asks "Why is Mars red?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of “Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On the second episode of REACH  Brian and Meredith ask the questions "What are Black Holes?," "Will we ever get sucked into one?," and more before we are joined by an expert from Adler Planetarium and a very special guest star on a segment entitled "Did You Know...?"

This week's Activities:

• To learn more about our closest star, visit adlerplanetarium.org and read “The Secret Life of the Sun.”
• Learn more about “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L'Engle, as mentioned by Nikki the Star
• Draw a picture of the Sun. It can be sent to the show at [email protected] or by tagging us on Twitter or Instagram @ReachThePodcast

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Thank you to Dr. Geza Gyuk, Director of Astronomy, Adler Planetarium. For more information on Geza’s work, please visit www.adlerplanetarium.org

Nikki the Star was played by Janet Varney. You may know Janet as the voice of Korra from Nickelodeon's The Legend of Korra, or from her podcasts The JV Club and Voyage to the Stars. You can find them both wherever podcasts are available

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community: Thanks Blythe!

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, you can submit that question for our bi-weekly “Reaching Out” episodes. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode.

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from James and Charlie from Minnesota who ask "How hot is the Sun? And why?"

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Do you have a question for a future edition of“Reaching Out?” Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

On the first episode of REACH  Brian and Meredith ask the questions "What IS space?," "Is Pluto a planet?," and more before we are joined by an expert from Adler Planetarium and a very special guest on a segment entitled "Did You Know...?" 

This week's Activities:

• “Life of the Pleiades” movie from AdlerSVL and todays guest Aaron Geller
• Adler Planetarium's  "Aquarius Project” interactive website
• Online interactive about exoplanets and the future of our Solar System 

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien 

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden. 

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall 

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Thank you to Dr. Aaron M. Geller, Astronomer at the Adler Planetarium and Northwestern University. For more information on Aaron’s work, please visit his website.  And don't forget to check out his recommended website www.zooniverse.com

Planet Earth was played by  Dania Ramos, the series creator and head writer of Timestorm by Cocotazo Media and TRAX from PRX . Timestorm follows the time traveling Ventura Twins on a mission to preserve their Puerto Rican heritage.  Check it out at  www.cocotazomedia.com or wherever you get your podcasts. 

And special thanks this week to our REACH learning community Blythe and Bella 

Do you have a space related question that we didn’t get to? Well, next week we start a new bi-weekly segment entitled “Reaching Out” where we’ll be answering YOUR questions. Just get your parents permission and give us a call at 312-248-3402 (or an email at [email protected]) and leave us a message with your first name, where you're from and your question for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

You can find REACH on Twitter and Instagram or at http://www.ReachThePodcast.com

REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids is a production of Soundsington Media committed to making quality programing for young audiences and the young at heart. To find out more go to http://www.soundsingtonmedia.com

Reach: A Space Podcast for Kids is a weekly, family friendly exploration of our galaxy (and beyond!) with hosts Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien. Built for kids and based on questions from kids, Reach educates with entertaining segments, fun at-home experiments, and interviews presented in association with subject matter experts & thought partners from leading institutions like the Adler Planetarium (and many more). Subscribe today, and get knowledge...within your Reach. Launching June 16th, 2020. 

Follow us on Twitter  and Instagram for more  or go to www.reachthepodcast.com