Neil deGrasse Tyson

The host of COSMOS: A Spacetime Odyssey, returns to our show with a behind the scenes look at the spectacular television series. Neil also tells us what he’ll tackle next. Emily Lakdawalla says it’s hard to tell who is king of the Kuiper Belt, Eris or Pluto? Bill Nye the Science Guy is headed to Washington for talks with the NASA Administrator. We’ll learn Bruce Betts’ new title as he sets up this week’s What’s Up space trivia contest that offers a littleBits Space Kit.

Related Links:

• COSMOS: A Spacetime Odyssey
• Neil deGrasse Tyson
• StarTalk Radio
• When Will We Know Which Is Bigger—Pluto or Eris?
• littleBits Modular Electronics Kits

This week's prize is a littleBits Space Kit! Over one million circuit combinations and ten activities created in collaboration with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

This week's question:

Measured across the Earth’s surface (not including the vertical distance), how far did Alan Shepard travel in Freedom 7?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, May 13, at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

What is the dirtiest job in the space program? Make sure it’s a real job. Bonus points for humor.

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

What is the name of the moon orbiting the trans-Neptunian object Quaoar?

Answer:

Weywot is the moon orbiting trans-Neptunian object Quaoar.