Scientific Revolution and Meteors

Erica Jo Shaffer

This episode weaves together the wonder of winter—from the skies above to the houseplants on your windowsill.

(00:00:00)

We explore how ancient cultures interpreted comets and meteors before the Scientific Revolution, just in time for the annual Geminid meteor shower and the stories surrounding the Star of Bethlehem. 

(00:22:28)

Then we bring things down to earth with a seasonal roundup: poinsettias and Christmas cacti care, choosing a real versus artificial Christmas tree, the arrival of new seed catalogs, and winter support for wildlife with bird seed, feeders, and heated bird baths. It’s a cozy, curious blend of history, horticulture, and holiday nature.

This episode weaves together the wonder of winter&mdash;from the skies above to the houseplants on your windowsill.
(00:00:00)
We explore how ancient cultures interpreted comets and meteors before the Scientific Revolution, just in time for the annual Geminid meteor shower and the stories surrounding the Star of Bethlehem.&nbsp;
(00:22:28)
Then we bring things down to earth with a seasonal roundup: poinsettias and Christmas cacti care, choosing a real versus artificial Christmas tree, the arrival of new seed catalogs, and winter support for wildlife with bird seed, feeders, and heated bird baths. It&rsquo;s a cozy, curious blend of history, horticulture, and holiday nature.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.