Radiolab: Probing Where the Sun Does Shine – A Holiday Special Hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, WNYC Studios | Release Date: December 24, 2024

Introduction: A Festive Exploration

In this special holiday edition of Radiolab, hosts Latif Nasser and Lulu Miller take listeners on a captivating journey through two groundbreaking space missions. As the year 2024 draws to a close, the team reflects on their recent explorations into scientific mysteries, blending deep investigative journalism with innovative sound design to unravel stories that span from the scorching heart of our sun to the icy depths of Jupiter's moon, Europa.

1. The Solar Odyssey: Reaching for the Sun

Guest: Noor Rawafi, Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Latif Nasser kicks off the episode by introducing Noor Rawafi, a seasoned scientist involved in a NASA mission that defies conventional space exploration. This mission, which began in 2008, aims to send a tiny spacecraft closer to the sun than ever before, promising unprecedented insights into solar phenomena.

Key Highlights:

• Mission Genesis: Noor shares his childhood fascination with the sun, sparked by the pristine night skies of rural Tunisia. “Being in the countryside, there is no light pollution at all. So the sky is just in particular in summertime is just mesmerizing” ([04:01]).

• Spacecraft Design: The spacecraft, described as a "cone-shaped" marvel, employs cutting-edge technology to survive extreme temperatures. Noor explains, “It's simply a piece of carbon foam… with ceramic coating that is white to reflect as much light as possible” ([08:52]).

• Heat Shield Innovation: The 4.5-inch thick carbon foam heat shield is crucial for protecting the spacecraft from the sun's intense heat. At its closest approach, the shield’s sun-facing side will reach temperatures exceeding 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, yet the backside will remain at a manageable 700 degrees ([09:07]).

• Unprecedented Speed: The probe will travel at over 430,000 miles per hour, the fastest human-made object, enabling it to "basically touch the sun" for the first time ([06:39]).

Notable Quote: Noor Rawafi emphasizes the mission's significance: “Nobody has ever done this. Nobody has ever gone so close to a star” ([07:08]).

2. Europa’s Whisper: Poetry Meets Space

Guest: Ada Limon, U.S. Poet Laureate

Transitioning from the blistering sun to the icy realms of Jupiter's moon Europa, Lulu Miller introduces Ada Limon, who crafted a heartfelt poem to be engraved on a spacecraft destined for this enigmatic moon. Europa is a prime candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life, harboring a subsurface ocean beneath its frozen exterior.

Key Highlights:

• Creative Process: Ada recounts her time in Hawaii, grappling with writer’s block and finding inspiration in nature. “I was staring at this palm frond… and there was a little gecko that was stuck on the underside. It was completely upside down… I thought of the line, we, too, are made of wonders” ([21:59]).

• Embracing 'We': Ada discusses the challenge of shifting from a personal to a communal voice in her poem, aiming to represent all life on Earth as a message to Europa. “I had to really release that idea of the eye and make room for my most communal voice” ([23:44]).

• The Poem: Ada proudly reads her poem, a lyrical tribute bridging Earth and Europa, emphasizing shared wonders and the universal need to connect.

Notable Quote: Ada shares her personal connection to the poem: “I do feel like a part of me is going to space… it is my little human breath is going” ([26:48]).

The Poem: In praise of mystery, a poem for Europa.
Arching under the night sky, inky with black expansiveness.
We point to the planets we know.
We pin quick wishes on stars from Earth.
We read the sky as if it is an unerring book of the universe,
Expert and evident still there are mysteries below our sky.
The whale song, the songbird singing its call in the bough of a wind shaken tree.
We are creatures of constant awe,
Curious at beauty, at leaf and blossom, at grief and pleasure, sun and shadow.
And it is not darkness that unites us, not the cold distance of space, but the offering of water,
each drop of rain, each rivulet, each pulse, each vein,
O second moon.
We too are made of water, of vast and beckoning seas.
We too are made of wonders, of great and ordinary loves,
of small invisible worlds, of a need to call out through the dark.

3. Supporting the Journey: Membership and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, the hosts underscore the importance of listener support through Radiolab’s membership program, "The Lab." They highlight various incentives for joining, such as exclusive content, ad-free episodes, and unique merchandise like posters inspired by their space explorations.

Key Highlights:

• Membership Benefits: Latif Nasser details the perks of becoming a Lab member, including early access to episodes and special content. “Joining the lab is the best way to make sure that we can keep reliably bringing you deeply researched, carefully produced, rigorously fact checked, edge cutting radio journalism” ([11:19]).

• Contests and Community Involvement: The episode announces a global contest to name one of Earth’s quasi-moons, inviting listeners to participate and leave their mark on space history. “Vote for the name you like best@radiolab.org/moon before the end of the year” ([28:02]).

• Acknowledgments: The hosts extend heartfelt thanks to existing members and encourage new listeners to join, emphasizing the communal effort behind Radiolab’s storytelling.

Notable Quote: Latif passionately appeals to listeners: “You are vital. If you are not a member, well just know that joining the lab is the best way to make sure that we can keep reliably bringing you deeply researched, carefully produced, rigorously fact checked, edge cutting radio journalism” ([11:19]).

4. Looking Ahead: A Glimpse into 2025

As the episode concludes, Latif and Lulu tease exciting topics for the upcoming year, promising to delve into the planet’s darkest places, explore the intricacies of high-functioning and seemingly impossible phenomena, and unravel the complexities of quantum mechanics.

Preview Highlights:

• Upcoming Stories: “We will be diving into the darkest place on the planet. We will be getting high, huffing apples and we will be untangling quantum entanglement inside a bird's eyeball” ([29:00]).

• Season Finale: The hosts wrap up the year with gratitude and anticipation, wishing listeners happy holidays and a promise of more enthralling content in 2025.

Conclusion: A Stellar Journey

"Probing Where the Sun Does Shine – A Holiday Special" encapsulates Radiolab’s signature blend of scientific inquiry and human storytelling. By juxtaposing the relentless pursuit of understanding our closest star with the poetic outreach towards Europa, the episode embodies the spirit of curiosity and connection that Radiolab champions. As listeners reflect on the year’s scientific advancements and prepare for new explorations, the episode serves as a reminder of humanity’s unyielding quest to comprehend the universe and our place within it.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• Noor Rawafi: “Nobody has ever done this. Nobody has ever gone so close to a star” ([07:08]).
• Ada Limon: “I do feel like a part of me is going to space” ([26:48]).
• Latif Nasser: “You are vital. If you are not a member, well just know that joining the lab is the best way to make sure that we can keep reliably bringing you deeply researched, carefully produced, rigorously fact checked, edge cutting radio journalism” ([11:19]).

For more detailed explorations and to support Radiolab, visit radiolab.org/join.