{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Generations","title":"Space Myths and Cosmic Plushies","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/6bbbab38\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2455,"description":"Peter and Aubrey take on the space facts everyone seems to know—and several that don't survive a closer look. Aubrey explains why Venus is hotter than Mercury, why the North Star isn't the brightest star, and why Saturn doesn't have a monopoly on rings. Black holes and the Big Bang push the conversation toward the limits of what we know, while the supposed planet Nibiru brings back Aubrey's fourth-grade memories of the world allegedly ending in 2012.\nAlong the way: a cosmic microwave background plushie, the disappointing gap between telescope images and the naked-eye view, and a planetary size comparison that somehow forgets Mars. They finish with space-colonization fiction, Peter's slow march through The Iliad, and a question for a future episode: how much should we trust a watch that tells us whether we're recovered?\nShow Notes\nFall catch-up: Aubrey is enjoying Wisconsin's brief light-jacket season, studying for her personal training exam, and celebrating a first anniversary with camping and a new pair of snowshoes. Peter reports on Gareth's busy high-school swim season and new personal bests.\nThe Great Wall from space: Peter has always been suspicious of the claim: being very long doesn't make something very wide. Aubrey explains why the wall is difficult to distinguish from its surroundings and why cities are easier targets. ESA's astronaut photograph and visibility note.\nMercury isn't the hottest planet: Venus takes that title because its thick atmosphere traps heat. Aubrey contrasts it with Mercury's enormous difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures.\nThe North Star isn't the brightest: Polaris earns its navigational role through its position near the north celestial pole; Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. Peter is relieved that finding Polaris difficult wasn't a problem with his eyes. NASA's skywatching FAQ.\nWhy nearby doesn't always mean bright: Sirius and Proxima Centauri lead to a detour through apparent brightness, intrinsic...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/fY2KwwwQLffNbRBMXpqVwuEgdwUGJAS7XvG8Vw5c2Sk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wOTc4/ZTM0MTY0MWQ0ODk4/OWI2OWU4YzhkYTdl/YWJiOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}