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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7pm Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo!
Before we start the show, Reggie and I just wanted to remind you that today is the last day to vote for our Show Reggie Some Love contest winner.
Hundreds and hundreds of entries have been narrowed down to the top ten, and picking the winner is in your hands.
Or your pigeon toes.
Grown-ups, our voting page is up at Tinkercast.com slash Reggie.
Today is the last day to vote, so go crazy.
The winner and the winning drawing that will be turned into a t-shirt will be announced on Monday, March 19th.
Once again, that's Tinkercast.com slash Reggie.
And thanks for showing Reggie all the love.
Up there on the International Space Station.
Hope to see you soon.
Yours sincerely, Guy Raz.
There.
All done.
Come in.
Hi, Mindy.
Wow, you're even cheerier and happier than normal.
What's up?
Well, for starters, this morning I found some shrimp in my pocket that I forgot I put there a couple of weeks ago.
And it's still kind of fresh.
Here, if you want some, eat it.
Well, I was just about to deliver this letter to my pen pal.
Penpal?
What?
You have other friends besides me and Reggie?
Well, Mindy, I happen to be a very popular guy.
Roz.
What?
You happen to be a very popular guy, Roz.
Oh, yeah, right.
So this penpal I was writing to, well, she happens to be on the International Space Station.
The International Space Station?
Space Station?
The ISS?
Yep.
In her last letter to me, she signed off and wrote, see you later.
See you later?
Yeah.
Roz, you know what this means?
She wants you to come visit.
What?
Oh, my one-eyed cat.
Roz, you're going to the International Space Station.
I don't know, Mindy.
I suppose it would be a nice gesture to deliver this letter in.
Well, if you're going to deliver your snail mail to the International Space Station, Guy Raz Well, but Then I'm going with you.
What?
Come on.
Grab your stuff.
Let's go.
But, Mindy, I'm not sure see you later literally means I'll see you later.
I mean, I think she was just being polite.
Uh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
She said specifically, I'll see you later.
As in, I'll see you later on the International Space Station.
P.S., Bring your best friend, especially if her name rhymes with Wendy.
Are you sure about this, Mindy?
Of course I'm not sure about this, Guy Raz.
Now go suit up and get ready to go.
But I'm already wearing a suit.
Guy Raz, a space suit.
Okay, well, let me just run upstairs and put on my space suit.
Just give me two seconds, okay?
Just wait right here.
Just make it snappy, okay?
All right.
Guy Raz, what is taking you so long?
All right, good to go.
Uh, Guy Raz?
Uh, yeah?
You're wearing the exact same thing as you were before.
That's not true.
I'm now wearing my fancy Saturn cufflinks and my paisley bow tie.
See, look, it spins.
It's my spacesuit.
Okay, Guy Raz, so you and I both know that space can be a seriously dangerous place.
I mean, with all of that space junk just flying around up there, I think you're going to need something a little more substantial to protect you from the elements.
Substantial?
Like what?
Well, you know how you need a big, fluffy jacket in the winter to protect you against snow or rain?
Yeah?
Well, in space, you need a special kind of suit to protect you against the dangers of space.
Ooh.
One that doesn't involve cufflinks or a spinning bow tie.
The dangers of space?
Like...
Like what?
Well, instead of snow and rain in space, you have to protect yourself against things like cosmic radiation and space dust.
Space dust?
Ah!
Minnie, I hate dust.
That's why I get sick every time I visit your house.
Oh, you're just allergic to Dusty.
Who?
Dusty, my pet dust bunny.
That's what that thing is.
And if you think the dust in my house is bad, just wait until you get a load of some space dust, because that stuff can be deadly.
But dust particles are so small, Mindy.
I mean, how can something so small be so deadly?
Well, because some of these particles can orbit or float around the planet at up to 10000 miles per hour.
10,000 miles per hour?
That's like five times faster than a speeding bullet.
I know, right?
And when these little pieces of space rock are traveling that fast, that can cause some serious damage.
Whoa.
In fact, Some scientists actually refer to these tiny bits of space dust as micrometeorites.
Micro meaning really, really, really small.
And meteorites meaning bits of space rock?
You know it.
I never thought I'd say this, Mindy, but I think I might need a new suit.
Guy Raz, let's go shopping.
No, really.
I've been meaning to get a new space suit anyway ever since I grew out of my old one.
Come on.
Wait, you... already have a spacesuit?
Well, yeah, you want to see it?
Of course I want to see it!
Okay, you wait right here.
I'll be right back.
What?
Found it!
Ta-da!
What is that, Mindy?
You like it?
It's so bright, it's hurting my eyes.
It's like a disco ball.
I know, pretty retro, huh?
This is my old spacesuit.
I'll say.
Why is it so shiny?
Oh well, the first ever American spacesuits were made out of a reflective material called aluminized nylon.
It's meant to reflect thermal radiation.
Thermal radiation?
Oh, that's the type of energy the sun gives off that makes us hot.
Exact Doritos.
So this shiny material is actually used to reflect that energy back into space, so that the astronaut wearing it doesn't overheat.
Ah, I get it.
Kind of like how you put a reflective sun visor on your car's dashboard to keep it cool on hot summer days.
You know it.
In fact, this is actually the same suit that astronaut John Glenn wore.
The John Glenn?
The first American to orbit the Earth?
Yep.
That's the one.
My Aunt Mojo gave it to me.
She used to cat sit for him when he went off on his space missions and he gave it to her as a thank you present.
Yeah, maybe you should get a new space suit, Mindy.
I think that one kind of belongs in a museum or something.
I think you belong in a museum, Guy Raz.
Uh, what?
What?
So are we going to go to the mall or what?
Yeah, I'm ready when you are.
Okay, let me just lock up the house.
Another beautiful day.
Mindy, do you really think they're going to have spacesuits at the mall?
Oh, yeah.
They just opened up this new store called The Black Hole and I hear the fashion in there is out of this world.
Well, I think I'll be the judge of that.
Reggie!
Oh, we can't ride Reggie to the mall, Guy Raz.
Why not?
His taekwondo lessons aren't for another four hours.
There's no pigeon parking at the mall.
All right, then.
Sorry, Reg.
Looks like you're going to have to hang back this time.
Mindy and I are... Mindy?
Mindy?
What in the... Hop on back, Guy Raz.
But first, put this helmet on your head.
Mindy, this is a coconut shell.
And what is this thing you're sitting on?
Is this a... It's a motor pickle, Guy Raz.
A motor what?
A motor pickle. pickle.
So last summer I grew this monster cucumber that I later pickled and then realized it was too big to eat.
So I just added a motor, some handlebars and the wheels from your car, and now it's a motor pickle.
And I built it all by myself.
First and only one of its kind.
Do you think it's safe to ride?
Of course I don't think it's safe to ride.
What?
But I bet it tastes great.
And it's Did she just eat her motor?
Now hop on back and hold on for your life, Kairos.
Mindy!
You too, Reg.
It's a three-seater.
Mindy, I... Here we go!
Look at all these people checking out my sweet ride.
I thought it was a sour pickle.
Yeah, I went with bread and butter.
Wow, everyone here really is looking at us, Mindy.
I know.
Isn't it great?
Excuse me, everybody.
Excuse me.
Nothing to see here.
Nothing to see here.
Just me and Mindy and a carrier pigeon riding on a motor pickle.
Take a picture, folks.
It'll last longer.
Mindy, can we go anywhere without causing a scene?
No.
Let's just get inside the mall.
Okay.
Come on, Reggie.
Ah, the mall.
Christmas music already?
Now we can just get past all these teens.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Coming through.
Coming through.
Wait.
Hey, Reggie, where are you going?
Well, just meet us back here when you're done, all right?
And don't take any wooden nickels.
Where's he going, Mindy?
He says he has a job interview at Foot Locker.
What does Reggie know about shoes?
Huh.
Oh, well, where is this black hole shop you were telling me about?
Oh, yeah, so apparently you know you're there when you see it.
Or rather, don't see it?
I don't know.
It's the only store that light can't escape from.
Wait, is that it there?
Where?
That store is pitch black.
Yeah, this is it.
Come on, let's go inside.
Whoa, check this place out.
Oh, Guy Raz, look at all these awesome spacesuits for sale.
Yeah.
Which one do you think would make the best impression with your new pen pal on the International Space Station?
You know, I hear you can't really go wrong with the emu.
Emu?
What?
Guy Raz, we're shopping for spacesuits, not pens.
Lightless birds?
I know, Mindy.
E-M-U.
EMU.
It stands for Extra Mobility Unit.
And it's the name of the spacesuit that astronauts at NASA have been using since 1983.
Oh, yeah.
The classic spacesuit.
Yeah.
Well, I guess life-saving technology never really goes out of style.
And, unlike any of the suits in my closet, the EMU spacesuit has been built-in technology that keeps its astronauts from getting too hot.
Because of the sun's thermal radiation.
And from getting too cold.
Too cold?
What?
Let me check the weather forecast up there.
Oh, yeah.
It says here the forecast for space for the next several billion years or so is minus 4548 eight one degrees Fahrenheit.
So you can see why it's important for that suit to keep the astronauts nice and warm.
Check this out.
Another cool feature on the tag here says that it will also provide the astronaut with oxygen to breathe, while also removing the carbon dioxide that the astronaut breathes out.
Which is important because as the astronaut breathes out, She fills up the suit with carbon dioxide.
And if you don't get rid of it, the astronaut can breathe it in which, if she does it for too long, can be deadly.
Yikes.
So air filtration or some kind of a feature that helps to remove the carbon dioxide from the suit is a must, right?
Exactly.
And check this out, Mindy.
The suit even has a special gold-lined visor that protects the wearer's eyes eyes from bright sunlight.
Like one massive pair of sunglasses.
Yep.
Cool.
Well, I have to say, Mindy, I am S-O-L-D sold.
Hey, you want to check and see if it's on sale?
Mindy?
Mindy?
Oh, Guy Raz, I'm over here.
Check out this rack of prototype suits.
Bunker balls.
Mindy, I'm not looking for any bunker balls and whistles.
I just want whatever suit is going to keep me the safest.
Oh, well, there's a ton of research that goes into safety.
And look, these suits are new and improved.
Yeah, I don't know.
You know what I always say.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
No, you don't.
You always say, if you can't find quinoa, chia seeds are a good substitute.
Well, it is true.
Ooh, check this one out.
The tag here says it uses liquid armor technology.
Liquid armor?
Yeah, I was just reading about this.
So remember that... we were talking about earlier?
Yeah, the micrometeorites.
Right.
So those micrometeorites can sometimes puncture or put holes in an astronaut's suit.
Kind of like when your bike tire goes flat?
Yeah, but only like a thousand times worse, because the air that escapes the suit is the same air that the astronaut needs to breathe.
And so this liquid armor makes these suits...
Unpuncturable?
Yeah, looking at the tag here, it says this new suit is made with a new kind of liquid armor technology.
It was invented by scientists over at the University of Delaware.
So what do you know about this unpuncturable technology?
Well, from what I understand, the scientists start with a special kind of gloop.
Ugh.
Yuck.
Which is made up of a mixture of a chemical compound called silica and another chemical called polyethylene glycol.
Which would make a pretty rubbery type of liquid, right?
You know it.
But the researchers found out that this gloop had a very interesting power.
Huh.
What's that?
Well, when they hit this gloop with a fast-moving object, it immediately hardened.
Wow.
Then, after it was all over, the gloop softened and went back to being liquid.
That's incredible, Mindy, but what does all this have to do with this swanky new space suit?
Well, the space fabric that this suit is made of has been soaked in that gloop.
It's just gloop, Kairos.
The researchers soaked and smothered the fabric in this gloop and let it suck it all in.
And then...
They let it set in.
That's it?
And then the material suddenly becomes puncture-proof?
Like you couldn't even poke a pencil through it?
Well, sort of.
So when the suit gets hit by a fast-moving object Like that micrometeorite space dust you were telling me about,
Yeah, exactly.
So when it's hit by something like space dust or a micrometeorite, it immediately hardens.
And then, once it's over, it turns back into a liquid so that the material can be flexible again.
That's amazing.
And I suppose this sort of poke-proof fabric could be used on all sorts of space-related gadgets, like future inflatable off-world habitats.
Ugh.
You mean space tents, Skyroz?
Exactly.
The kind of tents that will make up the labs and the living quarters for the astronauts that may one day live on Mars.
That is literally some out-of-this-world camping.
So how far off is this technology, Mindy?
Well, it might be a little while before we see a poke-proof moon bounce, but the results should be in pretty soon.
In fact, last November, NASA sent a sample of this fabric and put it on the outside of the space station.
And they're just going to leave it there?
Yeah, they're going to go back in a year to see how it's been able to handle all of the space dust and the micrometeorites coming at it.
That is thorough.
Okay, let's see what else we've got here.
Um...
Looks like they've only got an extra large in this one.
Purple?
Really?
Dior?
I didn't even know they did spacesuits.
Oh, what about this one, Mindy?
What?
Let me see that tag.
Shrink-wrapping spacesuit.
Huh?
Oh, yeah.
I've heard about this one.
This is from the folks at MIT, right?
Yeah, but...
What is it?
Well, Mindy, it's essentially a spacesuit that shrinks to fit to your body.
You simply put it on, press a button, and the suit literally shrink-wraps to your body.
Whoa, it's like one of those vacuum-sucking space bags, only for your body and for actual space.
Well, sort of.
But not really.
So how does it work?
Well, the fabric that this suit is made out of is interwoven with metal coils like springs.
And they get tighter when they heat up.
And then they get looser when they cool down.
Right.
So, once you suit up, you press a button which heats up these metal coils, which makes the suit tighten to your body.
And then when you want to take it off again... You just cool them off.
The coils loosen, and you're able to take the suit off.
Well, how do you cool them off?
I mean, do you have to step into a giant refrigerator?
Well, I'm guessing there's a reason this suit's still in the prototype section of the store.
Yeah, might need a little more time to work out the kinks.
You know, Guy Raz, I think I'm going to just go with the extra vehicular mobility unit, just a standard old emu.
Yeah.
It's a great spacesuit, and it gets the job done.
Yeah.
Me too.
You can't go wrong with a classic.
Okay, I'm going to grab these suits for us, and I'll meet you at the register.
Wait, what size do you wear?
Let's see.
You're up 48, but generally 36R, and U.S. size is Canadian.
Not so sure.
Got it.
I'll just grab the smallest one.
Okay.
Do you want help with that?
What?
No.
Nope.
Nope.
I got it.
Okay.
Hi.
Hi.
Excuse me.
Yes.
Just the two extra vehicular mobility units.
Okay.
Let's see here.
That one.
And that one.
Now, did anyone help you out with your purchase today?
Uh, no.
Have you heard about our out-of-this-world Christmas sale?
Christmas, what it's march, when you purchase two or more nasa certified spaces, you can purchase a lunar rover at 25 off.
I, i think we're, i think we're fine with just uh, would you care to donate five dollars towards seti, that's the search for extraterrestrial intelligence?
Every dollar makes a difference.
Uh, Sure.
Thank you very much, sir.
Now, if I could just get your email address.
What?
What for?
Okay, no email address.
Your total comes to... 24 million dollars and 32 cents.
24 million dollars?
And 32 cents.
Man, space travel is surprisingly expensive.
I'll say.
How will you be paying, sir?
Cash, credit, or fact?
Yes, fact.
It's a promotion we're running this month.
You can pay with fun out of this world facts.
Uh, okay.
Well, I guess I'll take that.
I got this one, Guy Raz.
What?
It's my treat.
Excuse me, sir.
I'd like to pay with a fact.
Okay.
Did you know that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all of the beaches on Earth?
Whoa.
Whoa.
Whoa.
Really?
Huh.
All of a sudden, that is a really fun bag.
Do you want a receipt?
No, thanks.
Save the paper.
Guy Raz, hold my bag while I suit up.
What?
I'm going to squeeze into this thing.
I don't.
Excuse me, sir.
Is it okay if we wear these out of the store or yes?
Yeah, of course.
Come on.
Suit up, Guy Raz.
Next stop, space.
Okay, let me just get this.
Can you zip me up, please?
Of course I can, little buddy.
Now hold your breath.
Thanks.
Okay, are we good to go?
Good to go.
Now let's go deliver that letter to your pen pal on the International Space Station.
Wow in the World will be right back.
Grunups, this message is for you.
Hey, grown-ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz here from Wow in the World.
Mindy and I have some brand new Wow in the World toys out in the world just in time for the holidays.
Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't yet.
From our 100 experiments, that Wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit.
Our Wow in the World toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grownups.
Give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest Wow in the World toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.
You can shop our Wow in the World toys at Tinkercast.com slash toys.
That's Tinkercast.com slash toys.
Hi, thanks for calling Wow in the World.
After the beep, get ready to record.
Hi Mindy and Guy Raz.
My name is Rebecca and I live in New Brunswick from Canada and I am 10 years old.
My Wow in the World is thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians mined the earth, suffering through green conditions, to find the prized green emeralds.
Cleopatra was so taken with these stones, she claimed the mines for herself.
In fact, she was known for wearing a lot of huge emerald jewelry and gave emeralds carved with her portrait to her important visitors.
Bye, Mindy and Guy Ross.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I am from New Westminster, and my one in the world is that Crickets have their ears on their legs.
Hi, Mindy.
Hi, Guy Raz.
My name is Avery.
I'm nine years old from Gainesville, Florida.
My wow in the world is a pineapple with games as a flower, with berries that join together to make the fruit we eat.
Bye, Mindy.
Bye, Guy Raz.
Love your show.
Hi, Mindy.
Hi, Guy Raz.
My name is Dylan, and I'm here with my two little sisters, Bailey and Dory.
I live in DC and our wow is that the Dead Sea has so much salt that fish and plants cannot grow on it.
Bye!
Hi, my name is Luke.
I'm from Silver Spring, Maryland.
My wow in the world is if a whale shark swallows something bad, turns its stomach inside out and spits the whole thing out.
Hi, my name is Seneca.
I live in New York City and I'm nine years old.
My wow in the world is that humans have two kidneys, but we only need one.
I love your show.
Hey, everyone.
Thank you so much for joining us this week on Wow in the World.
And if you want to keep the conversation going, check out some of the questions we posted on this episode at our website, wowintheworldcom.
And grownups.
There you can find more details on how your kids can become part of the World Organization of Wowzers.
Lots of cool perks.
Exclusive t-shirts, autographed pictures of us, and a bunch of other cool stuff.
Wowintheworld.com.
Our show is produced by Jed Anderson.
Say hello, Jed.
Hello.
With help from Thomas Van Kalken, Chelsea Urson, and Jessica Bode.
Meredith Halpern-Ranzer is the big boss.
Our theme song was composed and performed by The Pop-Ups can find more of their awesome all ages music at the pop-upscom and parents and teachers.
If you want to send us an email, our address is hello.
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Until next time, keep on wowing.
Wowing.
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