We live with a bunch of adolescents (and adolescents at heart), who also happen to be big fans of anything to do with space and astronomy.¬† But mention the ice planet Uranus at the dinner table (and pronounce it “your-anus” or “urine-us” depending on which syllable you accent), and at least four people dissolve into Beavis and Butthead-style snorts and giggles.

But the very thorough weekly podcast, Universe Today’s Astronomy Cast, is working their way through the solar system.¬† After a week on Saturn, then another week focused on Saturn’s many moons, this week the podcast turns its attention to Uranus.¬† And the very first item they get out of the way, is the snicker-inducing name of the planet (advice: there are many ways to pronounce it, but emphasize the first syllable (urine-us), and say it quickly to get it over with).

With that out of the way, the podcast talks about the astronomical history of how we came to see and understand the planet, and its unusual axis of rotation (sideways).¬† It’s a half-hour of interesting, science-based stuff — even without the adolescent entertainment.

Want to subscribe to the whole series? The feed is here.