Ask the Nirks

Answer: Great question, Izzy!  Becoming an astronomer is an awesome job!  It is definitely very helpful to have a telescope.  But if you can't get your own right now, you can always visit local observatories or even ask your science teacher if they have a telescope you can look at the stars with.  I saved up my money for months to buy my first telescope and it was awesome!

Answer: Hi Jonathan!  Jupiter here!  That is an excellent question!  Earth, Mar, Pluto and all the dwarf planets manage pretty easily because they don't have very many.  But Saturn and I, we have to practice really hard everyday!  It's tricky though, because each moon has it's own unique orbit and sometimes I get dizzy trying to keep track!  Saturn has trouble because a lot of her moons hide in her rings.  But, in the end, we just keep practicing until we name them all correctly... It helps to list them in a way that they rhyme, like we do on the Name Your Moons Challenge!  

Answer: Hello Aiman!  Sedna Here!  Thank you for your compliments and your support!  I really hope to become official soon!

Scientists believe my red color comes is caused by Tholins - complex carbon chains made when ultraviolet light strikes carbon-rich molecules like methane or ethane. The result is a reddish substance.  Cool huh!

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 The Goblin Says hi back!  I'll pass along your message to the rest of the candidates too!  Have a great day!

Answer: Hi Carlos!  That is a terrific idea, so yes I will!  Thanks for looking out for me!

Answer: Hi Bella!  Wow, that's a lot of asteroids.  Did you know that there are millions of asteroids in the asteroid belt and most don't have names.  It would take me years to try to name them all.  But, the next time I take the challenge again, I'll try to name a few more of them for you!

Answer: Thanks for asking, Henry!  We really hope so.  You are right, there are so many more fun musical instruments to meet.  We're working on trying to get funding for another season.  We'll keep you posted!

Answer: Hello!  We are hand crafted out of foam, hand painted and controlled by hand.  A lot of hands!  We've passed along your request for a tutorial on puppet making and we'll let you know if/when our creators make it.

Answer: Great Question, Laehn!  Scientists have a theory about this.  They think that Tabby's Star actually stole an exomoon from a planet that was nearby it long ago.  The planet does not exist anymore, but the exomoon might!  So cool!  

Answer: Hi Laehn!  Thanks for asking!  My whole solar system is full of my best friends!  I can't pick just one because they are all so awesome and unique!

Answer: Hello Laehn!  Thank you for your compliments!  Since uranium had been named after the planet Uranus and neptunium after the planet Neptune, scientists decided to keep naming elements after planets so element 94 was named after me, Pluto!  

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Charon Here!  Hi Laehn!