Maria Pe–a astronomy and physics sophomore

Sophomore hopes to discover and name a star, and wants to know who came up with cuss words

WILDCAT: So, are you one of the people that just found a new type of star?

PENA: No, I wasn't part of that. But I will be one day.

WILDCAT: Are you going to name a star after yourself?

PENA: No.

WILDCAT: OK, but what would you name a star? Because I think some of the names are pretty ridiculous. Like, well, I really don't know, but I know that they are not so cool.

PENA: Like M-31.

WILDCAT: Yeah, yeah. Could we be more original please?

PENA: I know. I think maybe I'd name it, like, Q-32.

WILDCAT: Oh yeah? Q-32, nice. It's very unique and interesting, unlike M-31. OK, so take Orion's belt for example. Really, it doesn't look like anything, even when you squint your eyes. Who thinks of this stuff? So yeah · Do you think it's cold? I do.

PENA: Not likely. Like yesterday and today it was nice. But last week, that was cold.

WILDCAT: I know. Hey, do you call them goosebumps or goosepimples?

PENA: Gooesbumps.

WILDCAT: I get so annoyed when people say goosepimples. Pimples are pus-y. Little raises on my arms from being cold ÷ not pus-y.

PENA: Eww.

WILDCAT: I know. That paints a pretty picture doesn't it? Also, I don't understand what makes geese so special. Why not call it a duck bump? Who was the guy that said we should name lumpy things, spawned from coldness, after geese?

PENA: You know, I've always questioned myself with things like that. You know with cuss words ·

WILDCAT: I know. Who is the cuss word judge? Like, who gets to decide that farfagnugen is not a cuss word, but other words, which I won't say because I'm not a cusser, are?

PENA: I don't know. I'd like to meet them.