STARTALK RADIO WITH NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

Is there life on Venus? Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Paul Mecurio, and astrobiologist David Grinspoon investigate the recent discovery of phosphine gas in Venus’s atmosphere and answer your Cosmic Queries. We gathered up all your Cosmic Queries about the recent news and we start with the big question: Does this mean there’s life on Venus? Could there be a habitable zone? David tells us why the answer is…maybe. We explore the discovery of the phosphine gas and the possible explanations behind its existence in Venus’s atmosphere. You’ll explore what’s next after a discovery like this. Can we bring samples back to Earth? David gives details on the complexity of a mission to the Venusian atmosphere. We also explore Venus’s volcanoes and its geologically-active surface. David explains why, if we want to know what’s going on in the atmosphere, we have to know what’s happening on the surface. Then, we take a look at Earth: Can we use Earth to help us deduce what’s happening on Venus? We ponder the best way to search for life in the universe. We also ponder whether life needs water to thrive or if life just needs liquid. David gives us the top three gases that could be used to signify life elsewhere. Find out why Venus’s atmosphere is so thick. We discuss Venus’s runaway greenhouse effect and the viscous circle of its carbon cycle. We also wonder if a probe from Earth might have introduced microbes to Venus’s atmosphere. All that, plus, we ask the very important question: Is the Wicked Witch of the West actually from Venus? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Is that apple in your hand really red? Or is it another color? Or is it even a color? On this StarTalk explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are exploring how we see colors. Neil settles the “blue dress vs. gold dress” debate that took the internet by storm a few years back. We reflect on the relationship between scientific advancements and our physiological senses. You’ll learn why things are different colors. We discuss white light. Neil explains why, if you’re holding a red apple in your hand, the apple is not actually red. What happens if you take a red apple up to a light that has no red in it? What color would the apple be? All that, plus, we talk about “dark adaptation” and how it impacts the way we see colors in the dark. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Virtual StarTalk Live sponsored by PocketLab We're excited to announce our first ever virtual StarTalk Live, and, best of all, it's free! As part of this year's Climate Week, StarTalk and PocketLab are putting on a digital live show at 7:30pm ET on 9/23. The show will be simulcast on our YouTube and Facebook channels, Neil will be the host, Chuck Nice will be the co-host, and there will be no charge to attend. Guests will include climate scientists Professor Katharine Hayhoe (@Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe) and Professor Peter Mahaffy, and paleoclimatologist Professor Maureen Raymo. In celebration of this event, StarTalk and ScIC presented by PocketLab have a very unique gift for teachers who register in advance. Neil and Chuck are co-teaching two science lessons in Notebook by PocketLab and it's free for teachers! These two free astrophysics lessons will be exclusive to PocketLab Notebook, free remote learning software with an optional upgrade to Notebook Pro for classroom use. PocketLab Notebook is an interactive, portable and live-streaming replacement for a traditional lab notebook. A companion app to PocketLab sensors, you can sync real-time, high quality data from PocketLab Air, PocketLab Voyager, PocketLab Weather, and PocketLab Thermo. Teachers register here: https://info.thepocketlab.com/startalklive #StarTalkLive #NeildeGrasseTyson #ClimateWeek

It was only supposed to last 3-5 years and it’s been orbiting for 30. Neil deGrasse Tyson celebrates the Hubble Space Telescopes 30th anniversary with comic co-host Chuck Nice and Hubble senior project scientist Jennifer Wiseman, PhD. You’ll learn how proposals are selected to receive telescope time. Jennifer tells us about “director discretionary time” which allows the director of the Space Telescope Science Institute to allot time for ideas and research for larger projects or projects that might not be otherwise considered in the general selection process. Jennifer tells us about an instance when director discretionary time allowed for Hubble to be pointed at “nowhere” – resulting in the Hubble Deep Field image, one of the most iconic images Hubble has ever taken. Jennifer also explains how long an idea can take from proposal to final publication. You’ll learn about the Hubble science team’s massive data archive that’s open for everyone. Explore some of Hubble’s most interesting discoveries. Discover more about Hubble’s work on finding supermassive black holes in the center of galaxies. We also explore the work researching the expansion of the universe. We ponder what the most important fields of discovery will be over the next decade. You’ll find out about Hubble’s collaborative work alongside the Juno probe to Jupiter and the New Horizons probe that went to, and past, Pluto. We also discuss the exciting world of exoplanets. Lastly, Jennifer reveals how long she thinks Hubble can stay in orbit and whether the telescope could ever be sold to a private company. All that, plus, Jennifer shares her favorite Hubble discovery over the past 30 years! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ Original air date: April 13, 2020 About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson #NASA

We all know about Earth’s magnetic field, right? Well, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are here with another StarTalk Radio explainer to fill you in on the things you might not know about Earth’s magnetic field and magnetic poles. Find out why Earth’s south magnetic pole is actually in the North. We discuss how Earth’s magnetic field is not aligned with Earth’s rotation axis. You’ll discover why when you use a compass to find North it’s most likely pointing to somewhere in northwest Canada. You’ll learn about the differences between Earth’s magnetic poles vs. Earth’s geographic poles. Neil tells us how to actually find true North. Neil also explains why the magnetic poles of the Earth flip and have flipped many times. We discuss the “dynamo theory.” Lastly, we take a look at the Sun’s magnetic field and how that impacts sunspots. All that, plus, Neil tells us why there’s no understanding of magnetic fields without quantum physics. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Is the super volcano under Yellowstone going to erupt? What’s the difference between lava and magma? Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and volcanologist Janine Krippner, PhD, answer fan-submitted questions about volcanoes. How many active volcanoes are in the world right now? Janine tells us about the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program which keeps tabs on all the active volcanoes in the world. Find out how the Ice Age wiped the volcanic record clean. You’ll learn the difference between magma and lava. Janine tells us what’s really going on with the super volcano underneath Yellowstone National Park. You’ll find out why Janine isn’t a fan of the term “super volcano.” We take it back to the basics: why do volcanoes explode? We explore why eruptions are important, and, why volcanoes play an important role in our ecosystems. We discuss how volcanoes contribute to climate change – and how they pale in comparison to human activity. Discover more about the different types of eruptions. We ponder whether proximity to geological activity enhances people’s desire to study it. Janine shares why robots won’t be taking the jobs of volcanologists any time soon. You’ll hear about lava – if it moves so slowly, how is it so destructive? You’ll also learn about “pyroclastic flow.” Lastly, we investigate how many dormant volcanoes have the potential to cause mass devastation on Earth. Janine shares why there’s uncertainty around predicting eruptions. Is society ready for a massive eruption? All that, plus, Janine tells us what volcanoes can teach us about the inside of our planet. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

When someone says that information is on a “need to know” basis, your mind might automatically think that the information is secretive, dangerous, etc. But, there’s another type of “need to know” information that involves different “levels” of information. On this StarTalk explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are exploring these different “levels” of information. We discuss why, in certain circumstances, an idea is better than the details. To understand these levels of information, we explore the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. You’ll learn why you can say the Earth goes in a circle around the Sun and be “correct” even though it’s actually an elliptical orbit. And you can say it’s an elliptical orbit even though it’s actually a loop-de-loop! Find out how Earth’s tilt influences our seasons. You’ll also find out about the “libration” of the Moon or as Chuck calls it “Moon twerking.” And, we discuss Earth’s precession around the Sun. Lastly, Neil uses the size of the Sun as another example of understanding different levels of information. All that, plus, we explore why the scientific method allows for the possibilities of change. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice answer Cosmic Queries about colonizing Mars, promoting science, stimulating curiosity, stargazing, and more for a remote audience of thousands of science teachers. Recorded live at ScIC3 in collaboration with PocketLab. We start by exploring how curiosity can be stimulated and maintained in the classroom. Find out the importance of keeping curiosity alive especially during difficult times. Neil explains how curiosity and creativity go hand in hand. With anti-science movements present in our society, how do we make sure the importance of science isn’t overlooked? We discuss advertising science through public service announcements. Find out why Neil thinks part of the teaching curriculum should involve “querying nature” in order for students to discover how and why science works. Will we colonize the Moon or Mars any time soon? Neil shares his thoughts on why we won’t, and it’s not because we won’t have the capabilities. You’ll learn about some space-related activities that can help young children spark their interest in the universe. Neil also gives his recommendations on how to get started in stargazing. And, he tells us what astrophysics concepts are most important for everyone to know. Find out where in space Neil would take a field trip. We talk about how to bring science into other classrooms. For our last segment, PocketLab co-founder Dave Bakker joins Neil and Chuck to ask some final questions. We discuss the importance of being scientifically literate. All that, plus, Neil gives his final reflections on the importance of having influential teachers. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. https://inuit.com/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

How many stars can you see in the night sky with your naked eye? A million? A Billion? As Carl Sagan liked to say, “Billions and billions?” On this StarTalk explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are investigating how many stars you can really see. Neil explains why the number of stars you can see might be drastically lower than you think. Find out why the Moon poses a problem for seeing stars. Neil tells us how a full Moon can wash out a good amount of visible stars. Find out more about “dark time” and “bright time” when using telescopes. We discuss how binoculars can help you see a lot more stars. We dive into the evolutionary history of our eyesight. Also, Neil gives us a way to use your fist to calculate how many stars you can see in the sky. Lastly, discover more about how Andromeda went from being what we thought was a simple nebula to an entire other galaxy. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

What is grit? Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and psychologist, author, and world-renowned expert on grit Angela Duckworth, PhD, answer fan-submitted Cosmic Queries on the science of grit. Angela is the author of the best-selling book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. She is also the founder and CEO of Character Lab. Character Lab is a “nonprofit organization that connects researchers with educators to create greater knowledge about the conditions that lead to social, emotional, academic, and physical well-being for young people throughout the country.” To start, we investigate why sometimes stories help us learn and understand things better than statistics and hard data. Find out how the science of grit relates to the cosmic perspective. Angela tells us about the Stanford marshmallow experiment. We discuss procrastination. Angela also explains why she likes to keep death relevant in her conversations and thoughts. We delve into the work of K. Anders Ericsson, PhD, who was the world expert on experts and expertise. His research also uncovered the “10,000 hours to be great” methodology. You’ll discover more about perseverance. Are there times where you should quit? Angela explains why the answer is yes. We also discuss why comparing yourself to other people is not as helpful as comparing you to yourself. Explore the differences between self-esteem vs self-efficacy. What does science say about grit in different generations? Lastly, we discuss the importance of learning to strive. All that, plus, we ponder whether you need grit if you love what you do. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. https://inuit.com/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

It’s time for some more knowledge you didn’t think you needed to know. Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice team up for another StarTalk explainer about the science behind wind chill and more. What is wind chill factor? Find out how the temperature of the air interacts with your skin. We explore why a breeze can help rapidly alter your temperature when you’re interacting with the elements. You’ll learn why your skin will cool faster in a mix of air and water. Discover how to create a “liquid” chill factor. Is there still wind chill factor when it’s hot? You’ll explore why the answer is yes and why you know it better as a “cool breeze.” Neil explains why you feel cooler in the shade even if the air temperature is the same. What happens if the air temperature goes above your skin temperature? You’ll get the answer to that, plus, discover what happens when you go from a wind chill factor to a wind heat factor. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Jordan Klepper are together again to answer fan-submitted Cosmic Queries about sharks. Since both Neil and Jordan are self-proclaimed non-experts on sharks, they’re joined by shark scientist Jasmin Graham. Jasmin is also a project coordinator at the Marine Science Laboratory Alliance Center of Excellence and a co-founder of Minorities in Shark Science. You’ll learn how climate change impacts sharks. Jasmin explains how different species will have to deal with different issues that arise from climate change. Discover more about the size of sharks and why most sharks aren’t the size of the great white sharks you see in popular culture. We investigate the megalodon. Could there still be megalodons roaming the ocean deep? Jasmin helps us poke holes in all megalodon theories. You’ll hear how the evolution of whales helps us understand the extinction of the megalodon. Discover more about sharks’ intelligence. Have they reached a plateau? Will they be able to adapt to climate change? We dive into the “science” of the Sharknado film series. Neil reminisces on his star turn in The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time. You’ll find out what innovations we can originally stemmed from shark research. Jasmin explains how sharks have influenced skin care products and the engineering of underwater vehicles. You’ll also find out what we’re doing for shark conservation. And, Jasmin enlightens us on the similarities between dolphins and sharks, even though they seem wildly different in the public eye. Discover more about baby sharks and the absence of parental care. You’ll hear how noise pollution has influenced shark behavior. We also look at how the moon influences shark behavior. Lastly, we explore the phrase, “sharks can smell blood in the water.” All that, plus, Jasmin tells us if Greenland sharks really live to be 500 years old. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Related – Water Tower Explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAn5xYpbVR8 How much does air weigh? How do you measure air? In this StarTalk explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate how to measure the weight of air. Find out what people really mean when they talk about “air pressure.” You’ll learn how pressure functions in a fluid such as water and air. Neil explains how we can properly measure air. Neil tells us about the “buoyant force” associated with fluids. Dive into the science of suction cups. Discover why a cork is to water what a helium balloon is to air. Neil tells Chuck why he would be flattened in the atmosphere of Venus. All that, plus, Neil shares a small gripe with HBO’s Watchmen. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

If you were lucky enough this past July, you might have caught a glimpse of Comet NEOWISE before it left Earth’s view. If not, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Negin Farsad are answering fan-submitted Cosmic Queries about Comet NEOWISE and more with cosmochemist and author Natalie Starkey, PhD. First discovered in March this year, you’ll learn a little background about NEOWISE. Where did it come from? Can we be sure that it came from our solar system? Natalie tells us why speed can be a strong signifier of where a comet is coming from. You’ll learn what it means to be a “long-period” comet. You’ll also learn why comets have elongated orbits instead of circular orbits. Next, Neil gives us some history on the Oort Cloud. We take a look at how NEOWISE got its name and the naming process of scientific objects. Neil also shares some interesting information about Halley’s Comet that you might not know. Natalie tells us what unanswered question about comets she most wants to see answered. We ponder whether comets and/or asteroids could have delivered the building blocks of life to Earth. Explore amino acids on comets and in space. Would we find amino acids on NEOWISE? Examine the possibilities of Earth having “interstellar water.” And, you’ll also investigate if we can harvest water from comets to solve water crisis and famine here on Earth. We discuss how different chemical compositions change the color of comets. You’ll hear why a comet’s “tail” can be a misnomer. Lastly, find out what it means for a comet to be “dead.” All that, plus, Natalie takes us through the scene of two comets colliding with each other and we debate if a probe could hitch a ride on a comet to a world beyond. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/ Comet NEOWISE captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe. Image Credits: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Naval Research Lab/Parker Solar Probe/Brendan Gallagher About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Cool things happen at low temperatures. In this StarTalk explainer, we’re cooling things down – way down. But how cold can we actually get? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the limits of temperature and a lot more. You’ll learn why there’s really no limit of how hot you can make something. On the flip side, we dive into why making things colder is a different story. How do you create a place where there is no heat? You’ll find out more about the Kelvin scale or absolute temperature scale. Neil takes us through the process of cooling things down. Discover the differences between temperature and heat energy. We explore the vibration of particles and dip our toes into Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. Then, Neil tells us why we can never philosophically or theoretically reach absolute zero. To wrap things up, we investigate what happens when quantum physics take over. Discover more about superfluidity. All that, plus, you’ll hear about the Bose–Einstein condensate and how we can “shape-shift” matter. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are back together to answer a cosmic cauldron of Cosmic Queries. From dark matter, to 2001: A Space Odyssey, to the size of the universe, we are answering as many fan-submitted questions as we can. To start, we investigate whether there’s any hypotheses that connect dark matter and black holes. We dive into science fiction as Neil and Chuck discuss their favorite depictions of aliens in film and television. We explore the lack of aliens in 2001: A Space Odyssey and Contact, why Neil’s favorite movie alien is The Blob, and why Chuck loves Alien. And, Neil and Chuck debate what space-themed tattoo they would get if they ever got one. Discover more about the possibility of a multiverse. We explore the “levels” of a multiverse. Then, we ponder if the universe is finite or infinite. Neil explains why the mash-up of quantum physics and general relativity can create exciting possibilities. You’ll learn about the influence space travel has on age. We also ponder if time travelers are hiding among us. Find out who Neil would want to meet if he could time travel. Then, we dive into the logistics of time travel and “causal loops.” You’ll hear about the mechanisms at work that help assist with Earth’s gravity. Then we ask, “Does light ever stop moving?” Neil tells us how we can use high-speed cameras to see light interact with a medium. Lastly, we discuss what technology an advanced alien civilization might have at their will. All that, plus, Neil and Chuck share their thoughts on how you’d be received if you traveled back in time and showed the people of the past your smartphone. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

You’ve probably heard about the supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park. And you’ve also probably heard that it’s on the verge of erupting and destroying the world. Well, in this StarTalk explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice talk with volcanologist Janine Krippner, PhD, about what’s actually going on. What is a supervolcano? Janine tells us how the made-up term has worked its way into popular doomsday language. Find out just how large an eruption would be from a supervolcano. You’ll learn the difference between a crater vs a caldera. Then, we investigate the likelihood that the Yellowstone supervolcano will erupt. Janine tells us why everything you read in the news about this supervolcano is an exaggeration. We explore the differences between supervolcanoes and eruptions that cause flood basalts like the Deccan Traps. All that, plus, Janine gives us a tagline for volcanology. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, https://inuit.com/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson #Yellowstone

Earlier in the day today, @NASA successfully launched their latest Mars rover, Perseverance. Now that it’s rocketing its way to Mars, we’re here to explore what it will do once it gets there. Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are joined by NASA Chief Scientist James Green, PhD, to break down what Perseverance will be doing once it touches down on the red surface. Firstly, why launch now? James tells us why this is the perfect window to launch to Mars. You’ll learn why NASA is targeting to land Perseverance on an ancient Martian shoreline. We discuss why our own evolution history helps inform us where to land the rover. Find out the logistics of how Perseverance will land on the Martian surface. Will we experience a similar six minutes of terror like we experienced when Curiosity made its descent? James explains why the landing procedures may sound crazy but they actually make “fantastic sense.” You’ll hear about all the different experiments attached to Perseverance including a rock corer, high-tech cameras, and a ground-penetrating radar. Lastly, James tells us about Ingenuity, the tiny helicopter accompanying Perseverance on this mission. All that, plus, find out why James is excited to have a microphone on-board Perseverance. Image credit for background of Mars Perserverance Rover: NASA Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson #NASA

In this StarTalk Radio explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are exploring what’s really going on when you watch those beautiful sunrises and sunsets. To start, you’ll get a refresher on how the days of the week were named. Then, we discuss our pre-Copernican vocabulary to describe what’s going on in the sky. You’ll learn how refraction and our atmosphere impact sunrise and sunset. Neil tells us why, when you think you’re watching the sunset or sunrise, the sun is already past the point you're seeing. Neil also tells us how telescopes can calculate refractive effects when looking at stars. Then, you’ll learn why the equinox is not actually the day where there’s an equal amount of night and day. Lastly, find out how light would interact with Earth if it were a black hole. All that, plus, Neil and Chuck discuss other “ghosts of the sky.” Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Do we control technology or does technology control us? On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson joins forces with first-time comic co-host Negin Farsad and material scientist and engineer Ainissa Ramirez, PhD, to explore how technology has shaped the world as we know it. Ainissa is also the author of a new book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another. Why do we have a love/hate relationship with technology? Negin tells us why she thinks she was born in the wrong era. We discuss the rise of the printing press and our trio nerds out on calligraphy and quill pens. Then, we answer fan-submitted Cosmic Queries on how technology has impacted our lives. Ainissa tells us why we’re losing our ability to empathize. Has tech changed our biology? You’ll learn how the internet is re-wiring your brain. We explore how the internet has changed our memories from remembering what the information was to where the information is stored. We debate which piece of technology has advanced us the furthest. Ainissa lobbies for steel, Negin gives her thoughts on the printing press, and Neil keeps it simple with the wheel and axle. Then we wonder – how much of technology is reversable? We reminisce on the outcry when Google Glass first launched. Discover more about innovations originally intended for space that have been successfully commercialized in our society. We dive into the socioeconomics of technology: will there be a day when technology divides us even more? Are we mature enough to use technology? Is tech more suspectable to conspiracy thinking? Lastly, we discuss which technology worries us the most, why young people don’t get overwhelmed by technology, and how anti-tech and anti-science movements can slow progress. All that, plus, we ponder how to make sure technology is beneficial to all humankind. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About the prints that flank Neil in this video: "Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver https://inuit.com/. About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson