The show is positively magnetic.

That's this week's planetary radio. and least complex instruments on the Mars Exploration Rovers, but a handful of

magnets are returning real science in concert with the other players on

spirit and opportunity. We'll learn more about them in a minute. We'll also hear from Bruce Betts

with What's Up and our newest trivia contest. From What's Up to a heads up about next week, Ray Bradbury returns to our little program.

We'll bring you the legendary writers inspiring

and sometimes hilarious remarks

at last week's celebration of Yuri's Night in Los Angeles.

Be sure to join us because you won't hear this anywhere but here.

And here's another planetary radio exclusive.

Take it away, Emily. Hi, I'm Emily Lochuwala with questions and answers.

A listener asked, I've heard that Mercury is both the hottest and the coldest place in a solar system.

How is this possible given Mercury's proximity to the sun?

Although Mercury is neither the hottest nor the coldest place, it's quite true that it's a planet of extremes.

It's easy to understand why mercury is hot, since it's the closest planet to the sun.

Occasionally, the sun, as viewed from mercury, is three times as big as it looks from Earth,

meaning that the sun is ten times is powerful.

Daytime temperatures on mercury can reach 430 degrees Celsius or 800 Fahrenheit. on Mercury also be one of the coldest places. Stay tuned to planetary radio to find out.

Walter Getses is the Magnet Dude.

Well, that's what the student astronauts called him.

And it's an appropriate nickname.

His team is responsible for the collection of carefully prepared and monitored

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