Why is Jupiter called Earth’s bodyguard?

Summary

Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids – Episode Summary: "Why is Jupiter Called Earth’s Bodyguard?"

Release Date: January 28, 2025

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Introduction

In the January 28, 2025 episode of Brains On!, hosted by Molly Bloom and co-hosted by Rita from Long Island, New York, the curious minds of children and adults alike delve into the intriguing question: "Why is Jupiter called Earth’s bodyguard?" Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the episode promises an engaging exploration of Jupiter's role in our solar system, blending scientific facts with imaginative storytelling.

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Jupiter as Earth's Bodyguard

The episode kicks off with a playful lunchroom conversation where Mark, a young enthusiast, likens himself to Jupiter—Earth’s protector—by consuming various types of beans. Mark states at [00:37], "I want to be like Jupiter. It stops big space rocks from hitting us." This metaphor sets the stage for the day's primary discussion: Jupiter's gravitational influence and its protective role for Earth.

Rita expands on this concept at [04:17], explaining that "Jupiter's super strong gravity is pulling in a lot of comets and asteroids so they crash there instead of on Earth." This protection theory posits Jupiter as a celestial shield, safeguarding our planet from potential catastrophic impacts.

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The Pop Planet Segment

The hosts transition into a creative segment, Pop Planet, where they witness a fictional talk show hosted by Star Ignite. Here, Earth and Jupiter are personified and engage in a conversation about their relationship. Earth expresses at [07:21], "I can't let anything happen to my trillions and trillions of little babies," highlighting the immense responsibility Earth feels in hosting life.

During the interview, Jupiter asserts at [18:25], "I'm just a planet with a mega supergravity. I can't help it if my size is affecting the things around me," offering a defensive stance on its gravitational interactions. This dramatized exchange underscores the complexity of planetary interactions and the delicate balance Jupiter maintains in the solar system.

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Scientific Insights and Debates

The episode delves deeper into scientific perspectives, presenting studies that both support and challenge the idea of Jupiter as Earth's protector. At [07:39], Rita mentions Shoemaker Levy 9, a comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994, illustrating Jupiter's role in diverting potential threats away from Earth. Molly adds at [10:07], "Some scientists start to think maybe Jupiter does this a lot," suggesting that Jupiter could be consistently acting as a space shield.

However, the narrative takes a turn during the second Pop Planet interview, where Star Ignite introduces conflicting studies. Star Ignite states at [16:08], "What if I told you that Jupiter might actually fling comets and asteroids toward Earth?" Presenting differing viewpoints, the episode acknowledges that "if Jupiter didn't exist at all, Earth would still be hit with the same number of comets and asteroids as it currently is," as explained at [17:22]. This introduces a nuanced discussion, emphasizing that Jupiter's role might be more complex than purely protective.

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Interactive Segments: Mystery Sounds and Listener Contributions

To engage young listeners, Brains On! incorporates interactive elements such as mystery sounds and listener-submitted questions. At [10:53], the hosts present a mystery sound challenge, prompting attendees to guess the source before revealing it later in the episode. Molly teases at [23:35], "That's the sound of me drinking from my water bottle without a straw," adding a fun and participatory dimension to the scientific discourse.

Additionally, the hosts explore creative listener contributions by asking, "If you could give a planet a nickname, what would it be?" Listeners like Kesley from Lake Bluff, Illinois, and Santiago from Melbourne, Australia, provide imaginative nicknames for various planets, fostering a sense of community and creativity among the audience.

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Conclusions and Final Thoughts

As the episode winds down, Molly and Rita reflect on the multifaceted role of Jupiter. Molly summarizes at [20:12], "So I guess we don't really know if Jupiter is protecting Earth or not. We know that it's pulling some asteroids and comets into it and they smash on the surface. And sometimes it might draw something toward it, but then slingshot it out into the far reaches of the solar system." This encapsulates the ongoing scientific debate about Jupiter's efficacy and impact.

Rita echoes at [21:05], "But some scientists think Jupiter could also be pulling some things closer to us than they would have been otherwise," highlighting that Jupiter's gravitational influence is a double-edged sword—both protective and potentially hazardous.

The episode concludes with credits and an invitation for listeners to support the show by sending in more questions, mystery sounds, and creative ideas, ensuring the cycle of curiosity and discovery continues into future episodes.

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Notable Quotes

• Mark at [00:37]: "I want to be like Jupiter. It stops big space rocks from hitting us."
• Rita at [04:17]: "Jupiter's super strong gravity is pulling in a lot of comets and asteroids so they crash there instead of on Earth."
• Earth at [07:21]: "I can't let anything happen to my trillions and trillions of little babies."
• Jupiter at [18:25]: "I'm just a planet with a mega supergravity. I can't help it if my size is affecting the things around me."
• Molly at [20:12]: "So I guess we don't really know if Jupiter is protecting Earth or not."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Brains On! masterfully blends scientific inquiry with imaginative storytelling, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and entertaining for young listeners. By examining Jupiter's role through both scientific studies and creative narratives, Molly and Rita encourage curiosity and critical thinking about our ever-fascinating universe.

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For more intriguing episodes and to join the Brains On! community, visit brainson.org.

Transcript

[Rita]

You're listening to Brains on, where we're serious about being curious.

[Asher]

Brains on is supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

[Molly]

Ah, lunchtime at Brainzonn headquarters. Is there anything more delightful than enjoying a nice soggy sandwich in the confines of this windowless break room? Oh, hey Mark.

[Mark]

Hi, Molly.

[Molly]

Geez, you're hungry. What do you have for lunch today?

[Mark]

Beans.

[Molly]

Beans? Any particular kind?

[Mark]

Oh, all kinds. Black baked, garbanzo, lima, navy, pinto.

[Molly]

Why beans?

[Mark]

I want to be like Jupiter.

[Molly]

Elaborate.

[Mark]

Okay, I read somewhere that Jupiter is like Earth's bodyguard, like a protector. It stops big space rocks from hitting us. And I thought Brains on HQ could use somebody like that. I want to be the one who protects this place.

[Molly]

But why the beans?

[Mark]

Well, you know how Jupiter is a gas giant? That's where the beans come in. Because you know what they say, Beans, beans, they're good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you.

[Molly]

Oh, Mark, it's nice that you want to protect headquarters, but that's not. I mean, Jupiter isn't made of that kind of gas.

[Mark]

Well, I'm also not a multi billion year old planet, Molly. Sometimes you've gotta work with what you have.

[Molly]

I suppose so. But I think I'll eat my lunch at my desk today. See ya, Mark.

[Star Ignite]

See ya.

[Molly]

Ah, lunchtime. Oh, hey Mark.

[Mark]

Hi, Ruby.

[Molly]

Man, that's a lot of beans you got there. Are you becoming a gas giant so you can be like Jupiter and protect Brains on hq?

[Mark]

Thank you. Finally, someone who gets me.

[Molly]

Classic Mark. You're listening to brains on from 8pm Studios. I'm Molly Bloom and my co host today is Rita from Long Island, New York. Hi Rita.

[Rita]

Hi Molly.

[Molly]

Today we've got our metaphorical telescopes aimed at Jupiter.

[Rita]

Jupiter is the oldest planet in our solar system. It formed only a million years after the sun and millions of years before Earth.

[Molly]

So Jupes is like the oldest child in the planet family.

[Rita]

Yeah, and it's the biggest. If it were hollow, you could fit 1,000 Earths in there.

[Molly]

Or if the planets were fruit, Jupiter would be a watermelon and Earth would be a cherry tomato.

[Rita]

Jupiter is mostly gas and looks like it's covered in orange, brown and cream colored stripes.

[Molly]

Those stripes are actually ginormous swirly storm clouds.

[Rita]

Jupiter is truly epic. And today we're answering this question about it from Asher.

[Asher]

Hi, my name is Asher from Edmonds, Washington. I've heard Jupiter is Earth's bodyguard. What does that mean?

[Narrator]

So Rita Asher wants to know what it means for Jupiter to be Earth's Bodyguard. What comes to mind when you hear that question?

[Rita]

I picture Jupiter like, being a force field for Earth and protecting it from, like, any harm. Like how a bodyguard and a celebrity would be.

[Molly]

Totally. And would you say that you're a fan of outer space?

[Rita]

Yeah, I really like outer space and it really intrigues me. But it also scares me from time to time.

[Molly]

Me too. What is it about space that scares you?

[Rita]

For me, even though, like, it's like, unknown and I find it interesting, I think just like the unknown scares me because it's so open and so big and it looks so empty and you can't hear anything and it's just. I don't know, it kind of freaks me out.

[Molly]

Yeah. I think for me, I like the idea of, like, going out there seeing stuff. Microgravity floating around seems really cool. But when I think about, like, how big space is and how it goes on forever, I feel a funny feeling in my stomach, like.

[Rita]

Oh, I agree.

[Molly]

Brazen. The bodyguard question comes from the idea that Jupiter might be out there protecting Earth from things like comets and asteroids and keeping them from hitting us.

[Rita]

Comets and asteroids are things out in space between planets.

[Molly]

They can range in size from about 6ft wide to dozens of miles wide.

[Rita]

Small space rocks enter our atmosphere pretty often, but they usually burn up before they can make it to Earth's surface.

[Molly]

A big one could spell trouble, though. Scientists think ancient dinosaurs went extinct after a large asteroid hit Earth about 66 million years ago.

[Rita]

Luckily for us, scientists also think it's very unlikely anything like that will happen again in the foreseeable future.

[Molly]

Whew. And that's where Jupiter comes in. There's an idea out there that Jupiter, with its super strong gravity is pulling in lot of comets and asteroids so they crash there instead of on Earth. Oh, Rita, we gotta go. We're supposed to be at a taping of Pop Planet.

[Rita]

Oh. The talk show where star E. Knight interviews famous objects in space. The episode where the moon did a duet with Ariana Grande is my fave. I've always wanted to be in the audience for a taping.

[Molly]

Yeah. Today, Star is interviewing Earth and Jupiter about this very topic. We need to be there in 10 minutes.

[Rita]

10 minutes? But it's halfway across town. We'll never make it.

[Molly]

Yes, we will. All you need is a quick travel transition like this. Ta da. Just in time.

[Rita]

Wow. Can I borrow that transition for getting to school on Mondays?

[Molly]

Sure thing.

[Studio Announcer]

Audience, please stand by. We'll be taping shortly.

[Rita]

Whoa. It's so exciting to be here in a TV Studio, the lights, the cameras.

[Molly]

The popcorn, the chips, the hard shell tacos.

[Studio Announcer]

You there, no eating on set. Your crunching is coming through all the mics.

[Molly]

Dope in trouble for my love of salty crunchies.

[Studio Announcer]

Okay, quiet on set. We're rolling in five, four, three.

[Rita]

It's starting. Yay.

[Star Ignite]

Hello and welcome to Pop Planet, the only show that gets you up close and personal with space. I'm your host, Star Ignite. Today we've got action, we've got drama, we've got gas. A gas giant that is will be talking to Jupiter. But first, let's welcome another guest. Say hello to Earth.

[Earth]

Oh, my gosh. Hi, everyone.

[Star Ignite]

So, Earth, how have you been?

[Earth]

Pretty good. Been working on myself. You know, taking spin classes, long walks around the sun, trying to embrace both the light and dark side of my personality. Oh, and providing a home to trillions and trillions of living things.

[Star Ignite]

Sounds like a lot of pressure.

[Earth]

Ugh, it is. You can't imagine how stressful it is being the only known planet with life. It's so precious. I can't let anything happen to my trillions and trillions of little babies.

[Star Ignite]

What a devoted planet, huh? Folks, Speaking of taking care, there's been some chatter that you've actually got a special protector.

[Earth]

Who? Batman? He isn't real. My humans made him up.

[Star Ignite]

No, I meant Jupiter.

[Earth]

Ugh, yes, Jupiter. You know, it's really amazing. In fact, I'm pretty sure Jupiter is protecting me from asteroid impacts at this very moment. Such a hero, really. The Batman of the solar system.

[Star Ignite]

Intriguing. So what makes you think Jupiter is protecting you?

[Earth]

Well, Star, it all started after Shoemaker Levy 9.

[Star Ignite]

Shoemaker? What now? Is that a new Marvel movie?

[Earth]

No, no, star. Shoemaker Levy 9 was a comet. My humans discovered it in the 1990s using those telescope things they love. They think Jupiter used its powerful gravity to pull that comet in, so it crashed on Jupiter instead of me. What a champ. Am I right?

[Star Ignite]

Indeedee. We'll hear more after this break.

[Studio Announcer]

Cameras are off. Take five, everybody.

[Molly]

So interesting about that comet. Wait, what was it called again?

[Rita]

Shoemaker Levey 9. It's a cool story. Actually, the year was 1994. Shoemaker Leve 9 was a comet hurtling through space.

[Molly]

Ooh, I love a hurtling comet.

[Rita]

It's believed at one point, Shoemaker Leve 9 was about a mile wide. If it hit Earth, it could have wiped out much of life on the planet.

[Molly]

But wait, I'm life on the planet. This won't do.

[Rita]

Well, luckily there was a different planet in its path. Jupiter. Thanks To Jupiter's massive gravity, the comet was pulled into the mega planet. It smashed into the surface and kicked up dust clouds almost 2,000 miles high.

[Molly]

The drama, the action. This has all the makings of a celestial summer blockbuster.

[Rita]

Some scientists start to think maybe Jupiter does this a lot. Maybe Jupiter is constantly drawing in comets and asteroids or even pulling them off course and flinging them into the far reaches of space.

[Molly]

Ooh, Like a slingshot. So that's how Jupiter got the reputation of being a giant space shield.

[Rita]

Yeah, but that's just one side of the story. There's definitely some drama coming.

[Molly]

Dun, dun, dun. The intrigue, the suspense, the mystery. I can't wait to hear about it. But first, another mystery. It's time to test your ears with a mystery sound. All right. Are you ready for the mystery sound, Rita?

[Rita]

Yes.

[Molly]

Okay, here it is.

[Rita]

What do you think that was so interesting? I think I have two options. Either it's like a Sharpie. Like. Like someone's trying to draw with a Sharpie, but it's like getting stuck on the paper. Or. Or it kind of sounds like an animal sound.

[Molly]

Yes, I can hear both of those. Do you want to hear it again?

[Rita]

Yeah, sure.

[Molly]

Okay. Okay. What do you think?

[Rita]

I think I'll. I still have, like, those two options, but I kind of hear, like, water in the background. I'm not sure.

[Molly]

Interesting. Okay, we'll hear it again. Get another chance to guess and hear the answer at the end of the show right after the credits.

[Rita]

So stick around.

[Molly]

We're making an episode about trends and how things become cool. And it got us wondering, what kind of trend would you like to start? Maybe you think it would be funny if everyone started wearing their shirts inside out? Or you want to make it totally in to paint your fingernails neon orange? What do you think, Rita? What trend would you like to start?

[Rita]

I've put a lot of thought into this. I think I would want to start normalizing ball gowns and princess dresses everywhere.

[Molly]

Yes. Like, to the. To the mall. To school.

[Rita]

Yeah. Like, if anyone wants to dress up and become a pretty little princess or a pretty little prince, they could go to school in, like, a cute outfit, and it would be really cute.

[Molly]

I am all for this trend. That sounds wonderful, listeners. Record a description of the trend you'd like to start and send it to [e-mail] contact. While you're there, send us your mystery sounds, drawings, and questions.

[Rita]

Like this one.

[Asher]

Hi, Brainzon. My name is Sophia. I'm from Lexington, Kentucky. And if dragons were real, how would they Fly around and breathe fire.

[Molly]

You can find answers to questions like these on the Moment of Podcast, a short dose of facts and fun every weekday. Find Moment of and [e-mail] and keep listening. Brains On Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Brains on, we know you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore.

[Audience Member]

Brains On. I'm their biggest fan. I also love Forever Ago, a fun history podcast for the whole family. Listen, I will play you Forever Ago. Now you will love.

[Molly]

Homing pigeons were a speedy way to deliver messages to military bases. Some pigeons could fly hundreds of miles in a single day, zipping through the air as fast as 60 miles per hour.

[Rita]

That's so fast for such a tiny bird.

[Molly]

These pigeons delivered life saving messages throughout the war. Zorp.

[Audience Member]

Where did the signal go? Must find Forever Ago.

[Studio Announcer]

Now listen to Forever Ago.

[Molly]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rita]

You'Re listening to Brains On. I'm Rita.

[Molly]

And I'm Molly. Today we're talking about the gas giant planet Jupiter and how it might protect Earth from getting hit by space rocks.

[Rita]

Jupiter's super strong gravity can suck in comets and asteroids that might have hit Earth and destroy them or fling them right out of our solar system.

[Molly]

That's why some scientists nickname Jupiter Earth's bodyguard because it protects us from getting hit by stuff in our solar system.

[Rita]

We asked you if you could give a planet a nickname, what would it be?

[Asher]

My name is Kesley from Lake Bluff, Illinois and if Saturn was a dancer, her nickname would be Saturn. I would nickname Mars Dusty Red because it's dusty and red. And the nickname comes up for Venus is Phoenix. Hi, my name is Clementine. I am from Indio, California and I have a nickname for Pluto. I like to call it Pluno because it's not a planet.

[Rita]

Hi, I'm Santiago from Melbourne, Australia. My nickname for the second largest planet, Saturn will be Lord of the Rings.

[Asher]

I'm Bronte from Sydney, Australia and I think Neptune's personality would be sassy and their nickname would be sw, short for Sonic Wind because of their super fast winds.

[Narrator]

Those were amazing. Thanks to Kestly, Cooper, Logan, Clementine, Santiago and Bronte for sending in your ideas. But now let's get back to Jupiter.

[Rita]

Yeah. Paw Planet is starting again.

[Studio Announcer]

Okay, people, we're back in 10 seconds. Let's hear the energy. Five, four, three.

[Molly]

Starry, starry. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

[Star Ignite]

Welcome back to Pop Planet. Before the break, we had a chat with the lovely Earth here About their bodyguard, Jupiter. But what if I told you that Jupiter might not be as reliable a protector as you've been led to believe? What if I told you that Jupiter might actually fling comets and asteroids toward Earth? What do you say to that, Earth?

[Earth]

I'd say show me the cold, hard scientific proof.

[Star Ignite]

Luckily, I happen to have in my hand here some scientific studies that say Jupiter might be doing as much to harm Earth as to help it. Like this study. Scientists ran a computer simulation to see what would happen to Earth if Jupiter didn't exist at all.

[Earth]

So, like, if there wasn't a planet with mega gravity to pull in asteroids and comets?

[Star Ignite]

Exactly. This study found that if Jupiter didn't exist, Earth would still be hit with the same number of comets and asteroids as it currently is. That suggests maybe Jupiter isn't making a difference either way.

[Earth]

So what? That's just one study.

[Star Ignite]

Here's another one that says that Jupiter might actually be harming you, Earth by pulling in comets and asteroids from far off in the solar system closer to you. Those comets and asteroids might otherwise have stayed far away. But Jupiter's pull might be bringing them closer to you.

[Earth]

That's not the lovable gassy giant I know. I want to talk to Jupiter.

[Star Ignite]

Then it's a good thing. It's right backstage. Jupiter, come on out.

[Molly]

Get out of here, Jupiter.

[Jupiter]

Earth, I can explain.

[Earth]

Are you putting me in danger? Jupiter?

[Rita]

Earth.

[Jupiter]

Look at these scars all over my surface. This one's from a comet. Another comet. Asteroid comet. You think I'm pulling these things in for my health?

[Earth]

But how do I know those comets and asteroids would have come anywhere near me if you hadn't pulled them in with your gravity, Jupiter? And what if you actually are pulling in stuff and sending it my way?

[Jupiter]

Look, I'm just a planet with a mega supergravity. I can't help it if my size is affecting the things around me. None of this is personal, Earth. It's just physics.

[Star Ignite]

Well, unfortunately, that's all the time we have for today. Looks like Earth and Jupiter will have to sort this one out on their own. We'll talk to Saturn's moon Enceladus. They say there might be oceans there. Your next beach vacation, we'll find out. This has been Pop Planet. I'm your host, Star E. Knight. Thanks for watching.

[Studio Announcer]

Cameras are off. Take five, everybody.

[Molly]

Man, that's great stuff. I definitely made the right call on these tickets.

[Rita]

What do you mean?

[Molly]

I was trying to decide between this and the View, which is just a live feed from the James Webb Space Telescope.

[Rita]

Oh, yeah. Good call.

[Molly]

So I guess we don't really know if Jupiter is protecting Earth or not. We know that it's pulling some asteroids and comets into it and they smash on the surface. And sometimes it might draw something toward it, but then slingshot it out into the far reaches of the solar system.

[Rita]

But some scientists think Jupiter could also be pulling some things closer to us than they would have been otherwise.

[Molly]

With a lot of things in space, it's complicated and we're still trying to work it all out.

[Rita]

Your alarm. What is it this time?

[Molly]

Oh, no. The Brains on Dainty laugh contest is about to start. I can't miss it. I've perfected the daintiest of laughs that is Dainty. Thank you. Let's transition back to the studio. No.

[Rita]

What happened?

[Molly]

My transition is broken.

[Rita]

So we can't magic our way back?

[Molly]

No, we'll just have to use that other form of magic, public transportation.

[Rita]

Quick, to the bus. Jupiter's gravity is really, really strong.

[Molly]

That means it can pull objects from space, like comets and asteroids into its.

[Rita]

Surface, like it did with the Comet Shoemaker 1189.

[Molly]

And sometimes Jupiter flings space rocks out of our solar system.

[Rita]

But scientists think Jupiter might also pull things into our solar system that otherwise wouldn't come anywhere near Earth.

[Molly]

If Jupiter didn't exist at all, we might not even notice it was gone.

[Rita]

So is Jupiter a good bodyguard for Earth?

[Molly]

In some ways, yes. And in other ways, it's hard to say.

[Rita]

That's it for this episode of Brainzong.

[Molly]

This episode was written by Jess Miller and Sandon Totten. It was edited by Shayla Farzan with fact checking by me, Molly Bloom. We had engineering help from Gary O'Keefe and Josh Savageau with sound design and original theme music, Mark Sanchez.

[Rita]

We have production help from the rest of the Brain Zone universe team.

[Molly]

Molly Bloom, Rosie Dupont, Shayla Farzan, Anna Goldfield, Nico Gonzalez Whistler, Ruby Guthrie, Lauren.

[Mark]

Humphrey, Joshua Ray, Mark Sanchez, Sandon Totten.

[Rita]

Charlotte Traver, Anna Wegel and Aron Woldeselassi.

[Narrator]

Beth Pearlman is our executive producer and the executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith. Special thanks to Sara Zaidi and Hussain Rizvi, Yousef Zoya and Rita's cousins.

[Rita]

Brainson is a non profit public radio program.

[Molly]

There are lots of ways to support the show. Sign up for the Brainzon Universe newsletter for bonus activities, reading recommendations, conversation starters and more. Head to brainzon.org to subscribe.

[Rita]

While you're there, you can send us mystery sounds, drawings and questions.

[Molly]

Speaking of mystery sounds, you ready to hear that mystery sound again, Rita?

[Rita]

Yeah.

[Molly]

Okay, here it is. Here's the last time you thought maybe a whiteboard marker. You hear some water in there? What are you thinking now?

[Rita]

I still think it might be an animal, like in the water making noises. Or like maybe a dolphin.

[Molly]

Ooh. Yeah. It does kind of sound dolphiny, doesn't it? Are you ready for the answer?

[Rita]

Yeah, let's do it.

[Molly]

Okay.

[Asher]

My name is Akos. I'm from Memphis, Tennessee. That's the sound of me drinking from my water bottle without a straw.

[Molly]

Oh, so you did hear water in there? That was absolutely correct. So that sound was kind of like when you sip really fast through a water bottle, it makes that kind of like.

[Rita]

I was a little off.

[Molly]

You were just a little off, but not too bad. I'm impressed. You've got excellent ears.

[Narrator]

Now it's time for the brains honor roll. These are the incredible kids who keep the show going with their questions, ideas, mystery sounds, drawings, and high fives. Elsie from Rye, New York. Eveline from Armada, Michigan. Matavan from Erie, Colorado. Henry from Marshall, Virginia. Liam from Norfolk, Virginia. Caden from Sunnyvale, California. Solomon and Joanie from Geneva, New York. Beatrice from Philo, Illinois. Maggie from Alex, Alexandria, Virginia. Valoria and Alex from Methune, Massachusetts. Abby from Germantown, Wisconsin. Elena from Washington, D.C. jack from Alexandria, Virginia. Aiden and Julia from Montevideo, Uruguay. Harley from Dublin, Ireland. Isabella from Sterling, Virginia. Eleanor from Pensacola, Florida. Poe from Berkeley, California. Soren from Shodak, New York. Faye and Xiao Feng from Toronto. Avery from Duluth, Georgia. Ella and Esme from Lake Elsinore, California. Sunshine from Durham, North Carolina. Ben from Maple Grove, Minnesota. Amira from Lincoln, Nebraska. Naomi from Nashville, Charlotte. Elaine from Dayton, Ohio. Aria from Saratoga, California. Alder and Cedar from Oregon City. Ellie from Washington, D.C. eleanor and Lucy from Illinois. Lily from Liverpool, UK Amelia and Oren from Roseville, Minnesota. Leona from Madison, Wisconsin. Julius from Richton Park, Illinois. Noah from Midland, Texas. Reed from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lorenzo from Mesquite, Texas. John from Minneapolis. Ben, Yacht, Carmen and Hobby from Santa Rosa, California. Melody from San Tan Valley, Arizona. Quinn from Efrata, Pennsylvania. Jacob and Olivia from Buffalo, New York. Henry from Michigan. Oliver and Will from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ella Marie from Prospect Heights, Illinois. Timmy from Folsom, California. Mark from London, uk. Ellie from Roseville, Minnesota. Emily from Chandler, Arizona. Jackson from Al Lakes, Minnesota. Rosemary and Nora from Smithfield, Rhode Island. Eliza from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ian from Raleigh, North Carolina. Shepard from Pomaria, South Carolina.

[Molly]

Towns from Houston, Texas.

[Narrator]

Camille from New Hampshire. Derek from Maryland, Zayn from Sunset Centennial, Colorado, Virginia from Bonney Lake, Washington Simon and Seamus from King, North Carolina Madison and Lucas from Carleton, Oregon Stella and Scarlett from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and Arthur from Montreal.

[Molly]

We'll be back next week with an episode all about why salt makes food taste good.

[Rita]

Thanks for listening.