Short Wave A Holiday Fact Exchange!
Dec 26, 2022
The hosts dive into a festive trivia exchange, mixing holiday cheer with fascinating facts. They highlight the iconic performance of 'Jingle Bells' in space, bridging music and astronomy. The conversation flows into the science behind sledding, making winter fun sound educational. Gratitude fills the air as they celebrate transitions and look forward to more joyful holiday tales.
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Giselle's Transition
- Giselle Grayson, Short Wave's supervising senior editor, is transitioning to new projects at NPR.
- She's reducing her hours to spend more time with her family.
First Song in Space
- The first song played in space wasn't "Silent Night."
- Astronauts played "Jingle Bells" on a harmonica and sleigh bells during the Gemini 6 mission.
Sledding Science
- Sleds don't technically touch the snow due to friction-generated heat.
- This heat melts the top layer of snow, creating a thin layer of water for the sled to glide on.