Moment Of Um

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Latest Episodes:

What would happen to Earth if the moon disappeared? Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

To us Earthlings, the moon is the ultimate cosmic chameleon. It’s always changing! Some nights it’s waxing, some nights waning, one day it’s full, and just two weeks later, it looks like there’s no moon at all. This is called a new moon, when the face of the moon is entirely in shadow. During a new moon, the moon doesn’t really go away. It’s just too dark to see. But… what would actually happen if we looked up at the night sky, and the moon was gone? We asked astronomer Chris Impey to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s making you moonstruck? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help you land on the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we like screen time so much? Nov 01, 2023

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Do you ever have trouble putting away your tablet or turning off the TV? Us, too! Lots of people end hours every day using screens – but why do we like them so much? And why is it so hard to turn them off? We asked University of Minnesota professor Jodi Dworkin to help us find the answer.

Got a question that you just can’t put down? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll screen some experts to find the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many colors can we see? Oct 31, 2023

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It’s a colorful world out there! When light from the sun hits surfaces on Earth, those surfaces reflect different wavelengths of light. Our eyes collect those waves and send them to our brains, which interpret the waves as colors! It’s an incredible process, and it happens in…well, the blink of an eye. But how many different colors can our eyes and brains identify? We asked University of Leeds color science professor Stephen Westland to help us find the answer.

Got a HUE-mungous question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll identif-EYE the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are apples different colors? Oct 30, 2023

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Fall is finally here! For much of the world, that means falling leaves, cozy sweaters, and lots and lots of apples! There are over 7,000 species of apples grown worldwide, and they’re all unique! But how are they able to come in so many different colors? We asked Lee Kalcitsto help us find the answer.

Have a question that’s got you stumped? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help pick out the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would happen if the Earth were flat? Oct 27, 2023

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Throughout history, people all over the world have pictured our planet in different ways, including as a flat disc. It can be hard to see the Earth’s curve when you’re standing on the ground, but mathematical calculations and information from space voyages have confirmed that the Earth is a sphere. But…what would it actually be like if the planet was shaped like a big pancake instead? We asked astronomer Chris Impey to help us find the answer.

Got a question orbiting your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help find an answer in no time flat.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do fish handle pressure at the bottom of the ocean? Oct 26, 2023

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The ocean has multiple layers, like a big, watery, salty cake. The deeper underwater you go, the more water above you – and the weight of all that water creates super strong pressure. So how do the fish that live in the deepest levels of the ocean survive without being squished? We asked marine biologist Keegan Lutek to help us find the answer.

Got a question that you want to shellebrate? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help find an in-depth answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you control your emotions or do your emotions control you? Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

When was the last time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt? Or cried so hard you couldn’t breathe? Sometimes it’s hard to tell if our emotions are in control or we are! To help find the answer, we asked Dr. Ed Greene, early childhood psychologist and consultant for our sister podcast Charm Words.

Have a question that’s got you all emotional? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help feel it out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a bird or fish live on the International Space Station? Oct 24, 2023

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The International Space Station is the largest structure that humans have ever launched into space. Hundreds of people have visited the space station over the past 25 years, but what about animals? Could birds or fish live there? We asked astronomy professor Chris Impey to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s launched you into a tizzy? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll sparrow no time finding the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do apples turn brown after we cut them? Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever put a bag of delicious crunchy apple slices in your backpack, only to discover they’ve turned brown by lunchtime? What’s up with that? We asked fruit tree expert and Washington State University associate professor Lee Kalcsits to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s apple-solutely awesome? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help color in the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the universe made of? Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

The universe can be a very mysterious place. It’s so big! And so full of incredible things! But what’s it made of? We asked astronomy professor Chris Impey to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s really out of this world? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help the stars align to find an answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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