Stellar Experiences

Sam Snork, P.I., that’s ‘planetary investigator’, is spending the winter holidays on Earth with his niece and nephew. As soon as they arrive, the kids want to know what the white stuff is that’s falling from the sky? And is it like that everywhere?

What follows is an explanation of why the Earth has seasons. There is also mention of humans’ grocery shopping behavior and outdoor recreation when snow is involved.

Sam then regales them with “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” including explanations of some of the terms used in the poem. In the middle of the poem, they decide to go out and look at the winter constellations and offer alternate interpretations of Orion and surrounding patterns. When they come back indoors, Sam finishes the poem, and the program concludes with a lovely ballad reflecting on the view of Earth from space entitled “It Looks Like Peace on Earth”.