The Roman month of Februarius was named after the latin term februum, which means purification, which we need. In India, this final day of the non-leap-year month is designated as National Science Day, which we also need a lot more of.

Sadly, Pope Hilarius also died on this day in 468.

Thus, logically, we celebrate the recent announcement of the TRAPPIST-1 discovery with a little dirty ditty that will hopefully inspire us to march forth with chest thumping exuberance into the month of Martius, named after Mars, the Roman god of war and guardian of agriculture.

Spring shall be blossoming soon here in NYC on this pale blue dot of ours, the only home we’ve ever known.

So what shall we discover while we’re still here?

∞

Host: Sh∞tspitter Kane

Guest: Trappist-1

Special Shoutouts: NASA, Carl Sagan

Photograph: Aurora Borealis; Fairbanks, Alaska; August 2016

Location: POETLab Studios