01x18 - Good Old Coot

[bunniefuu]

♪ Once upon a future time ♪

♪ In a place called Stardust Bay ♪

♪ Countin' down to adventure now ♪

♪ Rockets on a mission, we're on our way ♪

♪ Space Racers ♪

♪ Surfing the solar winds ♪

♪ Space Racers ♪

♪ Together the fun begins ♪

♪ Way out where the planets, moons, and stars ♪

♪ All shimmer shine ♪

♪ Havin' a great time exploring ♪

♪ Space Racers ♪

Hey, wait for me!

♪♪

Coot: Wait. This can't be right.

[computer beeps]What is it?

These numbers just don't add up.

Well, I'm pretty good with calculations,

maybe I can help.

What are you working on?

I'm trying to discover a new exo-planet.

What's an exo-planet?

Many stars have planets orbiting them,

just like our Sun does.

These planets are called "exo-planets"

because "exo" means "outside,"

as in "outside our solar system."

But why do you need to "discover" them?

Can't you just look through the telescope to see them?

Well, if only it were that easy.

These planets are so far away

it's impossible to see them,

even with our most powerful telescope.

Then how do you...

We wait for the planet to pass in front of the star.

Here, let me show you.

Watch what happens

when I pass this model planet in front of the light.

The light blinked!

That's right. And watch this.

Bigger planet, bigger blink. Neat-o!

And by measuring how big a blink we see

every time it passes in front of the star,

we can tell how big the planet is.

Then what's the problem with the numbers?

Well, the measurement is telling me

there's a big planet close to the star.

But usually it's the smaller ones

that are closest to the stars.

So why is there a big planet so close?

Aha!

My question exactly.

Professor Coot, you have to help me!

Oh, I mean, you have to help me, please!

Starling, what seems to be the problem?

Class doesn't start for half an hour.

I lost Mr. Rocket Baby!

I thought maybe I left him in here.

Oh, your doll.

Starling, I'm pretty sure

Mr. Rocket Baby isn't in the lab.

When things are hard to find

they're often right in front of you.

If Mr. Rocket Baby were right in front of me,

wouldn't I be seeing him right now?

Oh.

Um, yes. Well, um... good point.

Gotta find him! Thanks, Professor!

Oh, Mr. Rocket Baby, where are you?

But why is it so important

to dig in deep craters at the lunar pole?

Because that's the only place where water ice

could be stable on the moon,

even without an atmosphere.

Ah, yes, I see.

That could be a very valuable discovery.

But in order for me to approve this mission,

you'll need some source of light

or I'm afraid it will be too dangerous for the cadets

to go digging around in the dark.

What do you say, Coot?

Can ya "shed some light" on the situation?

Huh? What situation?

Can you set up a light source for Pigeon

so he can have the class dig in the lunar caverns?

Oh, sure.

It's a simple matter of using the Sun.

We can position a large mirror

so it will bounce sunlight into the cavern.

Great! Done and done.

No way. We won.

How can you say you won

when we scored the winning goal?

Because YOU went out of bounds!

That goal didn't count.

Hmm. It's weird that you think that

because I was clearly IN bounds

when I scored the winning goal.

Ergo, we won.

Okay, okay, cadets.

What seems to be the problem?

Raven and Eagle are arguing

about who won the big Orb-O match...

Last week.

Professor Coot, see for yourself.

Look at the video and you'll see

that Eagle was clearly out of bounds.

Okay, yes.

Well, I will definitely have to add that to my to-do list.

But now class has started

and today we are going to learn about exo-planets.

[school bell rings]

Remember your homework!

I'll need to see your research on exo-planets by Monday.

Oh, so much work to do.

Where was I? Ah, yes.

First, I'll need to borrow a glass lens

from a large telescope.

Then, if I add some shiny metal sheeting,

it should provide the reflective surface I need.

Uh, now where did I leave that sheet metal?

Huh! Probably in the supply shed.

[intense music]

What on earth are you two doing?

We're playing tag with Raven.

Well, okay then, carry on.

Look.

That shadow --

it's Raven-shaped.

Nice try, Raven!

Tag! You're it!Missed me!

[sighs, chuckles]

Starling. So, uh, did you find your Mr. Rocket Baby?

No. I did what you said --

I looked right in front of me everywhere I went,

but I still can't find Mr. Rocket Baby.

Say, why don't you try looking at things

from a different perspective.

You know, in a way you haven't tried before?

Uh, maybe that will help.

Oh, okay, Professor.

One mirror, as requested.

Ava: Launch sequence initiated

in , , , , .

Primary ignition.

Booster rockets?

Engaged!

Wings? Back!

Space visors? Down!

Blast off!

Whoo-hooo!

Coot: Now, Hawk, if we position this mirror just right,

the light from the Sun will shine on it

and then bounce off into that deep moon crater,

so you'll have enough light to work.

Tag! You're it!

Hey! Uh, be careful, you two!

Hawk, please help me re-adjust the mirror.

Coach Pigeon: Okay, cadets.

Now, today's mission

is to gather rock samples from this cavern

and see if we can detect any water ice.

Don't be afraid to get your wings dirty.

What's this?

Two cadets lined up in the same path,

creating a bigger shadow than either of them could alone.

Eureka!

That's it!

Where's Coot going?

I have no idea.

Ava, please,

show me my current prediction about the exo-planet

that's circling Star NCC-.

Now, what if instead of a large planet

there were two smaller planets?

No, no, no.

One planet is closer to the star,

and the other a little further out.

Now, what if those two planets just happened to line up

and block the star from our point of view

at the exact same time?

Would that match the numbers I've been measuring?

Ava: Affirmative. In that case,

the data would match your readings exactly.

Then I've done it!

I didn't just discover one new planet,

I've probably discovered two!

Oh, I'll have to tell Headmaster Crane about this!

Mr. Rocket Baby, are you in here?

Ooh, what's that?

Oh, where are you?

Still no luck, huh?

I've looked everywhere.

I'm afraid Mr. Rocket Baby is gone for good.

Well, don't give up just yet.

Here, let me help you.

Let's go back to where you last saw Mr. Rocket Baby.

Um...in my room.

Well, that's a good place to start. Come!

Where have you looked so far?

I've searched everywhere!

Well, when that doesn't work,

you have to try looking in different ways.

Like how?

Okay, how about this:

Try looking with one eye closed.

This isn't working.

Keep trying other things.

Try looking with a mirror

or in the dark

or with a magnifying glass.

[giggles] Maybe I should

just try standing on my head!

Sure! Why not?

Give it a sh*t!

This is REALLY weird.

Everything looks so strange.

Ohh, I don't think this is working.

I don't see --

Mr. Rocket Baby!

Oh! I found you!

Thank you, Professor Coot!

Heh-heh. All in a day's work.

It is my pleasure to announce

that our dear friend Coot

has discovered not one,

but possibly two new exo-planets.

In his honor, we will name these planets

"Coot " and "Coot ."

[cheers]Yay! Alright, Coot!

Ah, thank you!

I humbly accept this great honor.

But I couldn't have done it without all your help.

You see, I never would have looked at things

from a different angle to solve my problem

if it weren't for Starling, Eagle, Hawk and Raven.

Uh, speaking of which, where IS Raven, anyway?

Tag! You're it!Ooh, I'm gonna get you!

♪♪