The Big Flop - Listen Now: Wow in the World's Summer of Wow!

Episode Date: June 20, 2024

Wow in the World is the #1 science podcast for kids and their grown-ups. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz share stories about the latest news in science, technology, and innovation. Stories that give kids hope, agency and make us all say "WOW"!New episodes come out every Monday. Listen to Wow in the World: http://wondery.fm/wowintheworld. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summer is here and adventures await. Wondery and Tinkercast are teaming up to bring you a summer of wow. Whether it's the majestic sights of a national park, the thrill of a water slide, or exploring your own backyard, wow moments can be found in every corner of your world. Every Monday on Wow in the World, the number one podcast for kids and their grownups,

hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas take listeners on adventures about real scientific wows in our world. Like 3D-printed ice cream, how to make a robot laugh, and how Google Eyes are saving seagulls. And every week this summer, they'll send you and your family on a real-life scavenger hunt mission in your world to find your wow. Now, here's a clip from Wow in the World, where hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas find their wow at a beach. On Mars, without water?

You have to hear this. Coming! Good morning, Guy Raz! Mindy? That's my name! You ready for the big beach trip? Yeah, just finishing packing up my tote bag, but, uh, are you? Yeah, what do you mean?

Well, what I mean is you're covered from head to toe in snow gear. Yeah, well, it is gonna be pretty cold when we get there. Mindy, it's 90 degrees outside today. Well, not where we're going, it's not. Oh, no. This isn't gonna be one of those crazy adventures where you take me to a Siberian icy tundra and then try to tell me that it's actually a beach, is it?

What? No, I'm not taking you to Siberia, Gairaz. Phew. I'm taking you to Mars. Oh no. Ah! Why do you think I have the wow machine idling out front? Mindy, the wow machine?

What in the wow are you talking about? Oh, well I'm talking about a brand new scientific study released by a group of scientists at NASA that explains that the best beaches in our solar system are not here on Earth. They're on Mars! But Mindy, how can you have a beach without any water? Oh, there's water all right. A whole bunch of it. Uh... what?

Well, not anymore there's not. But a little over four billion years ago, there was. But why would we travel over 140 million miles just to go to the beach when we've got several perfectly good beaches right here on Earth? Guy Raz, it's the middle of the summer! The beaches here are packed! Uh-huh.

And what better way to secure a secluded beach all for ourselves than going to a beach that's 140 million miles and 4 billion years away from the closest human? miles and four billion years away from the closest human. Huh. You know, Mindy, now that I think about it, that might not be a bad idea. Of course it might not be a bad idea, Guy Raz. So what do you say?

Want to turn Mars into our very own private beach resort? OK, I'm in. Let's do it. Boo-yah! Reggie! Rev up the engine! Brrrr! Oh, but, Mindy, I'm packed for an Earthling beach.

Uh, exactly how cold is it gonna be when we get there? Oh, uh, let me just check my weather app here. Mars. I have to scroll through the whole solar system just to get to Mars. Here it is. What? Do you have a weather app for Mars? Ah, oh, okay.

It says here that on Mars, it is currently minus 86 degrees below freezing. Huh? Minus 86 degrees Fahrenheit? Or minus 65 degrees Celsius? Uh, that doesn't make it any better, Mindy. Don't worry, Guy Raz. I'm pretty sure that old coat that I made out

of Boo Boo Beanie Boppers is in the wow machine. That'll keep you nice and warm. Uh, fine. Yes. All right, follow me. Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah. After you, Guy Raz. And don't worry about the smell. I just finished greasing up the gears.

Uh, why does it smell like bacon? I just told you. Now, watch your step. I haven't cleaned up all the puddles yet. Whoa. Whoa. Woo. Ow.

Rrr. Hello, wow machine. Hello, Reggie. Okay, now just take a seat and strap yourself in there, buddy. Just need to add the coordinates here. Let's see, uh, Mars. Four billion years in the past.

And... Ready? Good! Cause here we... Yay! And, ready? Good, cause here we go! Alright, easy does it, one billion, two billion, three billion years ago, and stop! Ah, stop! Stop! The pressure is on! Stop! Stop! Stop!

Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!

Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! And... Stop!

Ah, stop! Stop! The brakes are jammed again, Guy Raz! Gimme that wrench! There we go. Another perfect landing. How you doing, buddy? Uh, good, I guess. Okay, let's just see where we ended up.

Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah, there we go. Whoa. Yeah, pretty wild, huh? Mindy, what in the world is that thing? That, Garros, is ancient Mars.

That's Mars? Yep. Four billion years in the past before it got all touristy. Are you sure? Well, let me just double check here. Yep. This is definitely ancient Mars. Wow. There's so much water down there.

Is there? Find your wow this summer with Wow in the World. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.