Show Notes
This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from the past!
It’s a scientific controversy of planetary proportions! Is Pluto a planet, or not? You decide, after we present two sides of an epic astronomy argument. Back in 2006, the International Astronomer’s Union voted on a definition of the word “planet” that excluded Pluto and other newly dubbed “dwarf planets” from planethood status. Astronomers - and everybody else - quickly chose sides. We dive deep into the debate and learn that Pluto’s not the only Space Object Formerly Known As A Planet. Then we’ll ask you to weigh in with your opinion, and see if you can find “consensus” on what should be called a planet. Featuring planetary astronomer Kirby Runyon. We have a present for your birthday!! We’ll be doing birthday shoutouts for our Patreon members, beginning next month. Want to hear a message on the podcast just for your special day? Pledge at the $5 level at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll be helping us make the show, and we also have extra audio goodies for you. Hear more from our interviews with scientists! For this episode, Kirby Runyon expands on the different types of planets, and the fascinating features you can find on each one. There’s more about planets, on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Tumble and tell your friends!
See the new "Eight Planets in the Solar System" video here.
More from Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
Do we remember our dreams more than our nightmares? That’s what Lennon wants to know! In this special Tumble Halloween episode, we’re going to a (not-so evil) laboratory where scientists study the science of sleep. That’s where sleep scientist Rebecca Spencer will help us plunge the depths of our subconscious to discover the power of nightmares, dreams, and… hold on – what are night terrors!?!
Explore the wild world of kids’ imaginations with Story Pirates! Story Pirates is a podcast that takes stories written by kids and brings them to life as hilarious sketches and songs, performed by a crew of comedians, actors, and musicians. Listen to Story Pirates here: https://www.storypirates.com/
What makes a good hug? That’s what Ryder wants to know. Enter HuggieBot - a robot that helped discover the 11 “ingredients” of a meaningful embrace. We’ll learn why HuggieBot’s creator, Dr. Alexis Block, decided to build a hugging robot, and what a robot can tell us about why hugs matter so much to humans.
In this mailbag episode, astronomer Karen Masters joins Marshall and Lindsay to answer a listener's question: what happens when Andromeda crashes into the Milky Way? Plus, we're launching a brand-new segment: The Kid Quiz!
How did Earth get its magnetic field? And why does it move around? Our listeners have questions about one of Earth’s most mysterious forces. To find out, we go on an archeological expedition in the Middle East, with pioneering paleomagnetist Lisa Tauxe. Lisa has spent decades “hunting” the magnetic field through time, to understand what ancient artifacts can tell us about how the magnetic field has changed. Did you know, magnetic north doesn’t stay in one place – and sometimes it flips? If you feel yourself pulled into this mystery, hit play on this episode!