n this episode of The Curious Kidcast, we blast off to the edge of our solar system to solve one of astronomy's biggest controversies: Pluto's planetary status. Discover why this beloved celestial body was reclassified from planet to dwarf planet, explore its unique features, and learn fascinating facts that make Pluto special despite its demotion.

Episode Highlights

• The discovery of Pluto in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh
• How 11-year-old Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto"
• The 2006 decision by the International Astronomical Union that changed Pluto's classification
• The three criteria for planetary status and why Pluto fails one of them
• Discoveries from NASA's New Horizons mission in 2015
• Pluto's unique features, including its heart-shaped glacier (Tombaugh Regio)
• Other dwarf planets in our solar system: Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres

Key Moments

• The discovery and naming of Pluto
• Pluto's unusual characteristics that prompted scientists' questions
• The discovery of Eris and its impact on planetary definitions
• The IAU's three criteria for planets and Pluto's reclassification
• Public reaction to Pluto's demotion
• New Horizons mission and surprising discoveries about Pluto
• Pluto's "dwarf planet" companions
• Curious Kidcast quiz about Pluto
• Fun facts about Pluto and conclusion

Amazing Pluto Facts

1. Super-Long Year: It takes Pluto 248 Earth years to orbit the Sun once!
2. Long Days: A single day on Pluto lasts about 6 Earth days
3. Moon Collector: Despite its small size, Pluto has five moons (Charon, Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx)
4. Extreme Cold: Surface temperatures reach about -375°F (-225°C), cold enough for nitrogen to freeze solid

Learn More About Pluto

• NASA's New Horizons mission website
• International Astronomical Union's definition of planets
• Interactive solar system models and activities for kids
• Books about dwarf planets for young astronomers

Submit your science questions to questions@curiouskidcast.com for a chance to be featured on the show.

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Email: questions@curiouskidcast.com

Social Media: @CuriousKidcast

Ever wondered why we hiccup at the most awkward moments? In this fascinating episode, Andy dives into the mysterious world of hiccups - those unexpected body jumps that always seem to arrive at the worst possible times! Discover the surprising science behind this universal human experience, from ancient fish theories to baby practice hiccups, plus test out bizarre cures from around the world.

What You'll Learn

• The Science Behind Hiccups: How your diaphragm (the trampoline-like muscle under your lungs) and vocal cords create that distinctive "HIC!" sound
• Three Mind-Blowing Hiccup Theories: The Tummy Surprise Theory, The Baby Practice Theory, and the incredible Ancient Fish Theory
• World Records: Meet Charles Osborne, who hiccupped for an astonishing 68 years (that's over 430 million hiccups!)
• Five Hiccup Cures Rated: From drinking water upside down to eating a spoonful of peanut butter, discover which remedies might actually work
• Global Hiccup Beliefs: Fascinating cultural interpretations of hiccups from Russia, India, Japan, and Mexico
• Animal Hiccups: Discover which animals get hiccups too (including adorable hiccupping kittens!)

Fun Hiccup Facts Mentioned

• Your diaphragm does over 20,000 "tiny sit-ups" every day without you noticing
• Babies hiccup in the womb before they're even born
• Some scientists believe hiccups are a leftover reflex from when our ancestors were fish
• A girl in Florida once hiccupped 50 times per minute for over five weeks
• In Russia, hiccups are believed to mean someone is talking about you behind your back

Curious Kid Quiz Questions

1. What is the name of the muscle under your lungs that causes hiccups when it spasms?
2. How long did Charles Osborne hiccup for, setting the world record?
3. According to one scientific theory, hiccups might be a leftover reflex from when our ancestors were what kind of animal?

Try This at Home

Create your own hiccup cure by combining different remedies! Try holding your nose, singing your favorite song, spinning in a circle, drinking water, eating a marshmallow, or whispering to your diaphragm. Let us know which combination works best for you!

Connect with The Curious Kidcast

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The Curious Kidcast: Where curiosity leads to discovery!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you dug a hole straight through the planet? In this episode, Andy explores this wild thought experiment and dives deep (literally!) into Earth science.

What You'll Learn

• The different layers that make up our planet
• Why digging through the Earth is impossible with current technology
• Where you would actually end up if you dug straight down (hint: probably not China!)
• How long it would take to fall through a tunnel in the Earth
• What happens to gravity at the Earth's center
• The extreme conditions inside our planet

Fun Facts from the Episode

• The Earth's core is hotter than the surface of the Sun
• If you could dig through the Earth, a trip from one side to the other would take about 84 minutes
• At the exact center of the Earth, you would float weightlessly
• If you dug from New York, you'd come out in the Indian Ocean near Australia
• The deepest hole humans have ever dug is only about 7.5 miles deep
• 
  

Episode Quiz

Question 1: If you dug a tunnel from New York City straight through the Earth, where would you come out?

Question 2: How long would it take to fall all the way through the Earth in a frictionless tunnel?

Question 3: What would happen to you if you could somehow stop exactly at the center of the Earth?

Vocabulary Words

• Antipode - The point on the exact opposite side of the Earth
• Crust - The outermost layer of the Earth
• Mantle - The thick layer between the crust and the core
• Core - The center part of the Earth, made of iron and nickel
• Harmonic oscillation - A back-and-forth motion, like a pendulum
• 
  

Try This at Home

Use a globe or online map to find the antipode of where you live. What's on the exact opposite side of the Earth from your house? Is it land or water?

Connect With Us

Have a question for Andy? Send it to questions@curiouskidcast.com

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