169. Gegenschein

As dusk falls, Kyle and Emily set out a blanket and do some stargazing, trying to catch a glimpse of that rare and captivating phenomenon: the gegenschein.

Our hosts dive into the origins of this decidedly German word. Along the way, Emily discovers some unexpectedly “shiny” words, and Kyle unpacks what it means to “gainsay” someone. But the pair quickly put etymology aside in favor of some mind-boggling astronomy.

Kyle helps Emily understand exactly how sunlight can be seen in the night sky. By the end of the episode, they’re pretty sure it’s down to either cosmic dust or a retro children’s toy. Thankfully, our hosts have plenty of experts to refer to: from astronomers to science fiction authors, from kooky researcher Charles Fort to Queen guitarist Brian May.