REACH A Space Podcast for Kids – Details, episodes & analysis

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, Director of the Earth Science Division, NASA 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, Director of the Earth Science Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center To learn more about NASA’s Earth Day initiatives including activities, coloring pages, and more visit https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-day/     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 April 8, 2024 we will experience a Total Solar Eclipse. What exactly is an eclipse? Who will get to see it? How can you safely view? What if you aren't in the path of totality? You've got questions, we've got answers with the amazing Dr. Marin M. Anderson, Research Scientist, NASA JPL. All that and more on The REACH Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse   Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien  Written, Produced, and Edited by Nate DuFort, a Solar System Ambassador for NASA JPL Music composed by: Jesse Case Logo by: Steven Lyons REACH was Co-Created by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall    Special thanks to Dr. Marin M. Anderson, Research Scientist, Astrophysicist, Radio Astronomer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Learn more about Dr. Anderson's work with the Golden Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT): https://gavrt.lewiscenter.org/ https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/ride-the-wave-of-radio-astronomy-during-the-solar-eclipse/ And a terrific NASA Eclipse discussion with Dr. Anderson (fall 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lKYm6QBE-Q We’d also like to offer a special thanks to REACH co-creator and Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Sandy Marshall. Additional Eclipse Resources: NASA's Watch Live - 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Join NASA experts on April 8, 2024, for a broadcast of the total solar eclipse. Want to see more? Tune in to the streams at the link for telescope live feeds of the total solar eclipse across the path, a broadcast in Spanish, and a live stream of sounding rockets launching during the eclipse. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/live How Can You Tell If Your Eclipse Glasses or Handheld Solar Viewers Are Safe? https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/how-to-tell-if-viewers-are-safe What is an Eclipse? from NASA's Space Place: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en/ Solar Science with the Peanuts Gang! Explore brand new solar science activities and resources created for students ages 4–13 and available in 11 languages:  https://ymiclassroom.com/lesson-plans/peanutseclipse/ Want more REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids? You can find REACH on X, Instagram, and TikTok 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 Advertise on REACH: [email protected]

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we have a special episode as author and REACH Special Contributor Joalda Morancy stops by to talk about their new middle-grade book ALIENS. Don't miss it!   Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien with Nate DuFort  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 to author Joalda Morancy whose latest book, Aliens, is available now wherever you find books.  About the book: Do aliens exist? Are UFOs real? The race is on to discover alien life in the universe!This book will sort myth from fact to bring you the real science behind the search for alien lifeforms. Space expert Joalda Morancy will take readers on a tour of the solar system (and beyond) on board new NASA missions searching for the most likely alien hiding places—from icy moons of Jupiter to the clouds of Venus. Along the way kids will find out about:• The robots sent to Mars to look for Martians• What really goes on at Area 51• Ways to spot an advanced alien civilization (hint—look for dim stars)Readers will explore a comet, race futuristic spaceships, and discuss what we would say to aliens when we finally meet them (after “hello!”).They may seem as fanciful as wizards and monsters, but this book will show that scientists not only believe that aliens exist—but that it’s only a matter of time before we find them.   Do you want to win your own copy of ALIENS?  Follow REACH on Instagram @reachthepodcast for details later this week.    Grownups! Can you help KIDS LISTEN by sharing your thoughts for our Kids Listen Survey. It only takes a couple of minutes of your time and can help podcasts like ours better understand your listening habits and what you look for in kids and family podcasts. Just go to: https://www.kidslisten.org/  

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we're addressing numerous questions that have come in about the purpose of space telescopes by sharing a recent discovery.  One for the record books! NASA just announced an exciting new finding from the Hubble Space Telescope – the farthest star ever seen in the universe. Nicknamed “Earendel” by its discoverers, this star's light took a whopping 12.9 billion years to reach us. Here to answer our questions is Dr. Michelle L Thaller, Assistant Director of Science at NASA 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 to Dr. Michelle L Thaller, Assistant Director of Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.   Click here to learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html Find Hubble on social media!! @NASAHubble   Additional thanks to the team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Michelle Handleman (KBRwyle): Lead Producer Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support Katrina Jackson (ADVOCATES IN MANPOWER MANAGEMENT, INC): Lead Producer Christina Brooke Mitchell (KBRwyle): Lead Producer Jessica Sansarran (NASA): Lead Producer

This week the REACH team is honored to talk to  geoscientist, explorer, space artist, author,  and astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor about the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space, her Space2Inspire,  and so much more. Then we have a special surprise in store for National Poetry Month - 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 Logo by: Steven Lyons   Special thanks to Dr. Sian Proctor, geoscientist, explorer, space artist, author, speaker, and astronaut. To purchase a copy of Space2Inspire: The Art of Inspiration, go to https://myspace2inspire.com.  Dr. Sian Proctor online: Website: https://www.drsianproctor.com/ Twitter: @DrSianProctor Instagram: @DrSianProctorFacebook: @Dr.Sian.Proctor YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrSianProctor Inspiration4 https://inspiration4.com/ Art Prints by Dr. Sian Proctor   https://myspace2inspire.com/prints.html Special thanks to Astro Ryan for sharing the poem “My Dream of Outer Space!”   We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and to everyone at NASA Space Place. About Dr. Sian Proctor: Dr. Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, and astronaut. She is the mission pilot for the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space. She is also one of The Explorer’s Club 50: Fifty People Changing the World. Her motto is called Space2inspire where she encourages people to use their unique, one-of-a-kind strengths, and passion to inspire those within their reach and beyond. She believes that we need to actively strive for a J.E.D.I. space: a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive space as we advance human spaceflight.   Watch Meredith (as Stacey Quasar) interview Dr. Proctor for Adler Planetarium's space comedy show Wow! Signal here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_3NgGT27I0   NASA: Extreme Space Facts https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/Extreme_Space_Facts.html    

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we have a special episode as author Mary Roach stops by to talk about her new middle-grade book Packing for Mars for Kids. Don't miss it!   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 to author Mary Roach whose latest book, Packing for Mars for Kids, is available now wherever you find books.  About the book: “America’s funniest science writer” (Washington Post) asks the questions children ask in this young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars. What is it like to float weightlessly in the air? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk? How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Is it true that they don’t shower? Can farts really be deadly in space? Best-selling Mary Roach has the answers. In this whip-smart, funny, and informative young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars, Roach guides us through the irresistibly strange, frequently gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. From flying on NASA’s Weightless Wonder to eating space food, Packing for Mars for Kids is chock-full of firs-hand experiences and thorough research. Roach has crafted an authoritative and accessible book that is perfectly pitched to inquiring middle grade readers. 35 black-and-white photographs For more info, go to: https://maryroach.net/

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we're actually digging into a question both Brian and Meredith had on a past episode: "What is Planet 9?"  Joining us with the answer is Dr. Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology.   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 to Dr. Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology.   We’d also like to thank Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and everyone at NASA Space Place. Dr. Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology https://mikebrown.caltech.edu/   The Search for Planet Nine Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown https://findplanetnine.blogspot.com/   “How I Killed Pluto, and Why It Had It Coming” by Mike Brown https://www.amazon.com/How-Killed-Pluto-Why-Coming-ebook/dp/B003F3FJTG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BDGZGZ51KG8&keywords=why+i+killed+pluto+mike+brown&qid=1645974183&s=digital-text&sprefix=why+i+killed+pluto+mike+brown%2Cdigital-text%2C66&sr=1-1   Want to support our friend Mick and The Past and the Curious podcast while pre-ordering  his latest book I See Lincoln's Underpants? Head on over to the Kickstarter to find out how: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartallybooks/i-see-lincolns-underpants-from-the-past-and-the-curious And then go listen to The Past and the Curious available wherever you get podcasts!   

This week the REACH team is over the moon to have a longform sit-down with renowned author, retired astronaut, and the first Canadian to walk in space, Col. Chris Hadfield.  Then we get a visit from the icy moon of Jupiter, Europa (the great Kevin Vidal!), - 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 Logo by: Steven Lyons   Special thanks to Col. Chris Hadfield, renowned author and retired astronaut, and the first Canadian to walk in space. To purchase a copy of The Apollo Murders and The Darkest Dark, go to https://chrishadfield.ca/books/. Col. Chris Hadfield photo credit: Shye Klein.  Col. Chris Hadfield online: Website: www.chrishadfield.ca Twitter: @Cmdr_Hadfield Facebook: @AstronautChrisHadfield Instagram: @colchrishadfield YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisHadfieldAstronaut TikTok: @cmdr_hadfield Col. Chris Hadfield plays “Space Oddity” by David Bowie from the ISS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo   Europa was voiced by the great Kevin Vidal. You can catch Kevin on Working Moms, Strays, and Odd Squad: The Movie. Kevin Vidal online: Instagram: @notkevinvidal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinvidalactor Twitter: @notkevinvidal   Special thanks to Shannon Abbott, Cheryl-Ann Horrocks, Ashley Comeau, Janet Davidson-Marshall, and our REACH learning community.   All about Europa https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/europa/overview/  

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Bella who asks "What is a satellite?" Joining us with the answer as well as an overview on how CubeSats are opening up space exploration to all of us is Will Saunders, PhD candidate in Astronomy at Boston University, contributor to Brainspace Magazine, and co-host of the podcast astro[sound]bites   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 to Will Saunders, PhD candidate in Astronomy at Boston University, contributor to Brainspace Magazine, and co-host of the podcast astro[sound]bites.  We’d also like to thank Nicky Middleton and the team at Brainspace, the interactive augmented reality magazine for kids 8-14.  Astro[sound]bites podcast: https://astrosoundbites.com Will Saunders online: williamrsaunders.com Brainspace Magazine:  https://brainspacemagazine.com

This week we are thrilled to have a longform sit-down with Rob Manning, Chief Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, before we get a visit from the dwarf planet Ceres  (the amazing Ashley Comeau!), - 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 Logo by: Steven Lyons   Special thanks to Rob Manning, Chief Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. You can follow JPL on Instagram and Twitter at @NASAJPL. Ceres was voiced by the incomparable Ashley Comeau, Ashley is not only one of our favorite humans, but you can also catch her as the science teacher on Degrassi:Next Class and the evil Jamie Jam on Odd Squad and Odd Squad Mobile Unit. We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Kay Ferrari and Dolores Zawol at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and to everyone at NASA Space Place.   Rob Manning NASA Bio https://mars.nasa.gov/people/profile/?id=23225 NASA JPL Missions https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions Mars Rover Curiosity: An Inside Account from Curiosity’s Chief Engineer, by Rob Manning and William Simon https://www.amazon.ca/Mars-Rover-Curiosity-Curiositys-Engineer/dp/1588344037 All about Ceres https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/ceres/overview/