Support for the Radio West podcast comes from Harmon's Grocery, with a selection of

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from artisan cheeses to a variety of desserts.

It seems like a lot of books begin with a basic question.

For the science writer David Barron, his latest began with this one.

Where did we get this fascination with Mars?

We have been obsessed with the red planet for a long time.

Back when humans didn't have a clue about Mars, there were these theories and ideas,

but even now, people are drawing up plans for Mars settlements, a kind of plan B in case

the home planet gets too crowded or burns up.

In his book, Barron homes in on a period around the turn of the last century, where there was

what he calls this Mars craze that was spreading like an epidemic.

ABC News presents the flight of Apollo 11, beginning 30 hours of continuous coverage of the lunar landing.

I was born in the 1960s, the time of the Apollo space program.

Man is about to land on the moon.

And I was raised on excitement about outer space and also about Martians.

I claim this planet in the name of Mars.

There was Marvin the Martian intent Intento, destroying the Earth.

Way to cotton-picking heck am I.

You are on Mars. Isn't that lovely?

There seemed to be Martians everywhere in popular culture back then.

Tim, I've got a surprise for dinner.

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