The Wii game 'Super Mario Galaxy' is a triumph of inventive game play and a favorite in our family. But oh, the muddled science message is like a bad version of the old "Who's on First" routine. In the game, you collect star bits and bigger stars to open up planets that are called Galaxies. You can also feed stars, which turn into galaxies when they get fat. Each Galaxy is eminently walkable and about the size of a football field... or smaller. As a game player, it's great fun. As an astronomer, it's painful. The issue comes to a crux when I have to correct my 7-year old's understanding of the universe. No, you can't turn a star into a galaxies. No, galaxies are not smaller than Earth. No, galaxies aren't smaller than stars, they're made of many stars. *sigh* The only good part is that he wants to become an engineer so he can invent Mario powers. Some may say I'm being pedantic, and it's true 'Super Mario Planetoids' isn't as catchy a name. But the truth is worth asserting: Earth is a planet. Stars are awesomely huge, and many have planets orbiting them. Billions of stars make up a galaxy. There are billions of galaxies in the universe. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go fight Bowser again, to rescue Princess Peach. He's a dinosaur, you know. Until next time, Alex, the daytime astronomer