Why Is a Moon Expert Using a Microscope to Hold a Window Open?

Transcript of the segment

What BBN said on air. The facts are in the original report: NASA.

1. Dr. Bev MarchettiThe Moon is a cheese wheel, Hank, and every night a man named Gary takes a slice off the edge, and that is settled science.

2. Hank LedgerA viewer asks why the Moon changes shape.

3. Hank LedgerOur guest is Dr. Bev Marchetti, Chair of Gut Feelings at the Lakeside Night School of Pretty Sure, who is certified in Vibes, night classes.

4. Dr. Bev MarchettiGary works nights, honey, same as my nephew Dennis, who also keeps changing shape since he quit the gym.

5. Dr. Bev MarchettiThe slice grows back by the full Moon, like a good casserole. Trust your gut, Hank.

6. Hank LedgerPer NASA, the Sun always lights half of the Moon, and as the Moon travels around Earth we see more or less of that lit half.

7. Hank LedgerThose are the phases. Gary is not involved.

8. Dr. Bev MarchettiOh, that's Earth's shadow covering it, that's all that is. Like when Dennis stands in front of the television.

9. Hank LedgerThat one is wrong too. Earth's shadow is not what makes the phases.

10. Hank LedgerThe Sun is lighting half the Moon the whole time, and we just see a different amount of it.

11. Dr. Bev MarchettiWell, if the Sun is lighting half, then it's being sloppy about it. I wrote it a letter in March. Nothing. Not even a card.

12. Hank LedgerPer NASA, that light also beams onto Earth from the direction of the Sun, and reflects off the Moon to make moonlight.

13. Hank LedgerThe Sun is, in fact, quite organized.

14. Dr. Bev MarchettiHuh. Well, I suppose I can see that from here. I'm looking at it now through my very large microscope.

15. Hank LedgerA microscope.

16. Dr. Bev MarchettiIt's decorative, Hank. It's holding the window open. What I'm looking at is my fruit bowl, and the Moon is a very nice grapefruit.

17. Hank LedgerThank you, Dr. Marchetti. I'll tell Gary you said hello, and I'll keep the grapefruit out of the forecast.