High Jump on the Moon & Quidditch on Jupiter with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Charles Liu | Cosmic Queries

Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly answer fan questions about low-gravity physics, the weight of Thor’s hammer, aerodynamics and more with physicist Charles Liu.
We explore games in Star Trek like Parrises Squares and other geeky games. How much does Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, weigh? How high could a high jumper jump on the moon? We break down gravitational acceleration and do some physics calculations.
Could you play a sport on Jupiter or Saturn? Find out what it would be like to play Quidditch on Jupiter. Would you be able to shoot an arrow farther on the moon? Could you throw something into orbit? We discuss golfing at high altitude and the effects of air pressure and humidity on the movement of the ball.
Will we ever reach a point where we can’t create any more world records? Could we just start modifying people? We also get into the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. What challenges will they have to watch out for? How will they work around the heat? All that and more on another grab bag Cosmic Queries!
Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): amzn.to/3dYIEQF
Support us on Patreon: / startalkradio
FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk:
Twitter: / startalkradio
Facebook: / startalk
Instagram: / startalk
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

[@StarTalk]

It's Geek Time!

[@MawDaws]

Certainly is

[@johnchornyTheOnly]

It's all Geek to me.. ....................................................................................................................

[@mrpearson1230]

Ready

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

I've figured out how to change the stars by stopping hurricanes. Don't worry, I've technically already done the easy part and changed the stars. My parents were teachers and for over 3 decades, they taught their students my constellation. Those kids will teach their kids. So on and so on. See, stars changed. I just need help to make it legit and with the rest. I need to get to Texas ASAP. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, I'm serious. I get 7 things. One of them being to change the stars and remember, crazy is a compliment. Figured Neil has taken on the IAU and won. He's the best place to start. If, rather when, it works it could be converted to a larger scale and EASILY regulate temperature, end drought, stop wildfires in the west. Let me know if you're interested, please and thank you. It'd be wrong of me to not, at least, try. This is me, trying. More, hopefully, to come.

[@joshmiller7870]

Use the spinning force with soccer for low grav. Imagine a soccer field curled around like a ribbon. Now spin that ribbon like a wheel. The astronaut athletes would have the goalies back to back. Could be interesting to test out.

[@theperfectbotsteve4916]

Neil and Chuck are such a perfect duo like Shrek and donkey or ketchup and mustered

[@rolando2395]

Been really enjoying the latest videos where he doesn't have a co-host. Like a breath of fresh air without chucks cringe dad jokes

[@rolando2395]

And it's not "mustered"

[@christinley5213]

Ahhahahaha I totally agree!!! Lol:)

[@pleaseletitgo1818]

Or something a little more intelligent

[@theperfectbotsteve4916]

@@pleaseletitgo1818 idk the whole ogers are like onions seen Is pretty deep stuff man they both got layers

[@jeffnaslund]

The chemistry between you four is always worth watching

[@tripendicular]

I love that Neil is confident. I was always taught to be quiet with my ideas or comments. Sometimes I’m taken back by his strong voice and I have to remember we don’t have to make ourselves small to please others.

[@deanhall9292]

his confidence....is more like arrogance. No evidenc of ufos or aliens?,.....this man De Grosse, must blatantly REFUSE to look......and that is not Science at all. Forget Catholic Boniface faerie tails.....GEB= egypt-sumer GIBIL god of Metallurgy/Quarrys/Mining......the Cackling Goose Laugh...twisted by Greeks ...to Haephestus then Vulcan Volcanoe rumbles =Thors Hammer. Note*......another god....Storm/rain god...was @ISHKUR....of the Caucasus mntns.....and hence cross confusion with Thunder Claps & Lightening. Ishkur got shortened to THUR.......now thor. (still evident on THURSday...lol).

[@jaelo2314]

Same here, Tri. It's debilitating until you realize why you're that way

[@yarrowbumblefoot8877]

Chuck, I love the way you hold your own with these guys. You're humor is brilliant and cracks me up. Keep it coming!

[@jimr9499]

He really does hold his own. I've commented this many a time but Chuck's knowledge, and retention of said knowledge, being able to pull up things he learned from episodes years prior, really impresses me.

[@kellyrico4401]

Our GEEK IN CHIEF I love the episodes with the Doctor You simply know it will be juicy

[@TeaRex12]

What a perfect time for a new StarTalk! I've been struggling with severe anxiety lately and have been listening to a backlog.

[@GSOF_Reagan]

Ya know….I wish I had friends I could discuss topics with on this high a level…no ego just objective observation and discussion…seems like a really good time

[@Mark_Hoag]

You got a discord? Lol

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

​@@Mark_HoagI think he meant real-life friends in real life. Like, in the old days.

[@ericwang3225]

Great to see Charles back!

[@sawluke]

I love to nerd out with Neil and co.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!

[@Exe3D]

The hammer is forged by the heat of the neutron star. Made of an Asgardian metal called "Uru" and contains the magic powers of Odin that gives the hammer an artificial intelligence to know when a living being that is worthy or unworthy is trying to wield it.

[@anthonygordon9483]

Yeah scientist were confused cause they were not equating magic in the equation. The hammer simply doesnt have a static weight and to see scientist discussing the matter was extremely frusterating cause its nothing remotely close to science fiction. Marvel is a mixture of mythology/science fiction. so its pointless to do the math.

[@m4yd0g]

But how does the reduced gravity affect the run up on the high jump? There will be less friction between the foot and the ground, the jumper may not be able to accelerate laterally as quickly.

[@hopesjourneyVA]

Finally I got this notification faster than I usually get them! _(3 days later)_

[@Nefville]

Charles is such a great guest, love his enthusiasm.

[@garybessey2184]

@Nefarion. Don't you mean Charles is such a Nice guest ?

[@Riclmnopp]

You need to go on the Lex Fridman podcast.

[@LiminalMan777]

What a fun episode

[@corm7538]

I've always pictured Star Trek's Parisi Squares as a futuristic take on the sport of Jai Alai it is played worldwide, although it's especially popular in Spain, France, and in various Latin American countries. You can see a Jai Alai player in the opening sequence of the 1980s US TV show Miami Vice. I've always thought of Parisi Squares as Star Trek's take on the sport of Jai Alai b/c Jai Alai can be a dangerous sport even with the correct safety equipment for the sport.

[@mikeweagle5523]

Gentlemen, An interesting discussion. With regard to hitting a golf ball at high altitude, may I suggest a practical experiment. Have a pro golfer hit a few drives in Chile's Atacama dessert. I believe there are a number of observatories there at high altitude and low air density. For that matter surely there are some amateur golfers among the staff of the facilities there who could generate sufficient data to compare with their scores at sea level.

[@fc-qr1cy]

Charles Liu VAMOS!!!!!

[@ParkeWithoutReverse]

Dr. Tyson looks like Carlton about to dance in this thumbnail.

[@Scott-wq5lk]

I can only dream to be as cool as Charles Liu at some point in my life

[@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk]

I am already cool

[@J_MM]

The way they de-aged neil in the thumbnail has me lmao 😂

[@ryanpate1196]

Loving the chemistry!

[@The.Nasty.]

Diggin the thumbnail from 15 years ago! 😂

[@bobspringer3728]

One thing you did not take account of in the high jump. Dr. Tyson mentioned the center of mass with respect to how high the jumper goes, but using the Fosbury Flop, the center of mass does not ever get as high as the bar unless they clear by a large amount. That is one reason why the flop gives a good advantage over previous styles of jumping where the entire body of the jumper had to be over the bar.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

Great point. I think that's why without taking the time to draw things up on paper and do actual calculations, they went ahead and said we would find out in the future

[@mikebennett5559]

So.. You are sayin' that if the Scottish strength games were on the Moon, you would need a pole to toss that is 6 times bigger and would go 6 times further? (to be equal as in Scotland?) Thanks!

[@baddoodle6876]

This was a super wholesome episode. Really enjoyed the chemistry of everyone. Always so much fun

[@isaackitone]

Indeed. The crowd here went wild.

[@khamel45]

I had the idea of how we could make a game, in the real world, that is as similar to quidditch as possible. What I came up with, was a giant dodecahedron with a web of handrails throughout. Put the structure in space, with next to 0 gravity, players could use the handrails to throw themselves across the open areas. Automated drones of different sizes take the place of bludgers and the snitch. The three goal rings would be held out from opposing faces of the structure.

[@jimr9499]

Woot woot. Anytime it's geek time, with Dr. Liu? My favorite episodes hands down.

[@joshmiller7870]

Use the spinning force with soccer for low grav. Imagine a soccer field curled around like a ribbon. Now spin that ribbon like a wheel. The astronaut athletes would have the goalies back to back. Could be interesting to test out.

[@shanewallace2564]

Lunar golf sounds awesome

[@dunderwood4444]

Dr. Charles Liu ROCKS. #GaryO #LordNice #Dr.Tyson outstanding episode as anticipated. Side note, Lord Nice has a official title that's documented and recognized by military standards. Can we please address his Lordship with the correct announcements moving forward USMC 🇺🇸 Recon E.O.D Med Retired 2007

[@StarTalk]

Fair point, D Underwood! We'll do our best to not disrespect his Lordship in subsequent recordings.

[@herrsygma]

Regarding Mjolnir weighing as much as 300 milion elefants: 1.Even though Thor is a god, Thor does express a small amount of physical stress when he wields the hammer(Less when he spins it). 2.When Captain America was worthy of using Mjolnir in Avengers Endgame, he did it competently. 3. Hulk wasn't worthy. If you take these into consideration you are left with 3 possibilities: 1.Either Cap is much stronger than anyone has previously anticipated. 2.Either Thor is not as strong as everyone thinks. 3.And regarding Captain America, true worthiness makes you incredibly strong. Mjolnir's weight= 300 mil elefant?Nope! But definitely more than 32.3 pounds.

[@bobspringer3728]

A comment on the javelin discussion. The javelin (and the discus as well) are flying. They both use the atmosphere for lift. Since there is no atmosphere on the moon, they would lose that feature thus cutting down the length of the throw. They would not go as far as six times the distance. You mentioned the changes to the javelin. Those were done to change the center of mass in relation to the length of the implement thus changing how soon the tip comes down. That then makes the javelin come down sooner in the flight. In effect the center of mass was moved closer to the tip. Another change made at the same time was the profile of the javelin to change the amount of lift generated.

[@josephdonais4778]

parkour would play a major role in a sport in lighter gravity The javelin toss might turn into a dart game.

[@ADergal96]

Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@davidurena560]

Mr. Tyson, I'm trying to find the answer to this question. What will an object like the Earth Will do if the mass or gravity was increased, or decreased will it go further away from the sun, closer, or will it stay in the same orbit. with out changing the speed.

[@hstellingwerff]

On archery and javelin there is another problem: arrows use their air resistance to fly straight. So they wil start toppling and might not stick in the target if they hit side first.

[@thej3799]

Thank 😊 🙏 😊 my sister would love the swimming reference

[@calebpoemoceah3087]

I would totally tune into a Parisi squares game on the moon , with a extra big batt if the ion malet isn't available!!!

[@stonerainproductions]

I love episodes with Charles Liu! I'd love to have a Home Run derby on the Moon. Nothing like a 3000ft hr.

[@thej3799]

It's one of the fun sports. We still learning nutrition and kinesiology lifting

[@nrdkraft]

I am not a sports person at all, I have basically zero interest in the subject. But this squad surprisingly made sports very interesting for me, thank you guys! Great worldbuilding ideas for games alien cultures from planets with different conditions could have.😆

[@rusnikfromtranscarpathia]

Possible Paresi Squares are like a combo of hockey, rugby, and American Gladiators! Lol

[@mareko250]

Great episode! Btw the javelin thrower was Jan Zelezny from Czech Republic. World record 98.48 m.

[@michaelworkman4057]

Space Olympics! Sorry I didn't catch this one earlier, love your show Neil!

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

Nice Intro, WOW

[@jeremyswalley8625]

I like how Chuck Nice proves comedians are actually intelligent..

[@HiopX]

for big asteroids or small plutoids, you could have an sport that resolves around throwing something at exactly orbital speed

[@snipersasuke]

🫶🏼 love it

[@chrisredmond1771]

Where can I ask questions to be answered on star talk?? Is it exclusively reserved for patrons on Patreon or can I ask questions on Twitter, KZbin comments or elsewhere???

[@therivernile.]

do more of this :)

[@qwazse4]

Archery on the moon could be incredibly hard because fletchings would do nothing to keep the arrow from tumbling.

[@theonatsis3126]

Please do a sports edition World Cup episode. It’s only the largest sporting event in history

[@MartynSmith]

You can only jump using one foot in the high jump - using 2 feet, you can jump higher!

[@bethgoldman2560]

The sport I think is hitting it’s limit is figure skating. There might be a quintuple jump but i fully doubt. Maybe then artistry will come back in? And P.S. will you interview Violeta!

[@lujithegenie1]

The OG Geek - In - Chief in the hizzy! I'm paying attention.

[@nigelb7737]

Sweet!

[@bighed6124]

I think you would evolve high jump from a running up event to a static double leg vertical leap onto a platform.

[@ciptalagudanhiburan]

Like first.... coz this is amazing show

[@charlesjones7063]

Great what if episode dudes...but with the "high jump" issue only Neil mentioned parabolic arc (assumed no atmosphere)...as a medium distance shooter on earth (500 yards), considering a presence of atmosphere its all about the parabolic arc...I spent $3000 bucks building a rifle with great attention to minimizing that factor...at 500 yards, ballistic coiffecient and wind drift are your concerns (drag and wind resistance, which is related to your horizontal surface area versus mass....using a second order property to maximize a 3rd order property)

[@tanbui7869]

Dr. Liu with gq hair! Always love lord nice and Mr. O'Reilly

[@doko2nd]

35:42 Didn’t we (not personally involved) hit the limit on the marathon and some snickers mark had to invent new shoes?

[@picklefish74]

Golf on the moon could be what I think that it should be here. If you whack a tiny ball, and you manage go find it, you win.

[@jayvincent1865]

One's vertical on sand is totally different than concrete or hardwood floor.

[@coyotestone]

Astrophysicists could have their smackdowns in Saturn's' North Pole Hexagon, rather than our mere MMA Octagon! ;)

[@visitqeshm9797]

In weight lifting they changed weigh classes after some years and new world record will be set in each weight class.

[@best-partplay]

Hello Neil .... I'd (we'd) really love to learn about non Newtonian fluid from you. You are the best. Thanks

[@gettyro7390]

My favorite foursome great show team

[@souravsaha5836]

Dr. Neil looks really really young in the thumbnail !

[@forresthouser5807]

Perisi's squares sort of "IS" shown on screen later in the series in an episode (don't know the name) when Riker and his Father are at odds with each other....

[@Deluxe4arms]

I want to play that Batman Beyond no gravity game.

[@fsteineris1]

The hammer was not made from dying star material. The Blacksmith used the energy from the star to melt the metal used to forge the hammer.

[@garywebber3228]

they didnt change the aerodynamics of the javelin shape ! they shifted more of the weight towards the front ! therefore making it dip down sooner

[@jobieisaac5058]

He is absolutely right because the trajectory wouldn’t change just the time it would take from the bow to the target

[@jihongkim5270]

13:30 is there a planet or a satellite or whatever out there in space where you can actually throw something with non-fictional human strength, it travels all the way around and hits back of your heads?

[@outbackigloo6489]

Phobos comes to mind, as it’s escape velocity is about 41 km/h or 25 mph. But it would be too easy to throw things into Martian orbit from there.

[@ilaphroaig]

Thumbs up just for 44:16 :-)

[@frogz]

thank you chuck..... thank you other chuck that was great

[@georgegunnell6319]

@ 11:22 Chuck should have said “ mmBOOyaah!”

[@garybessey2184]

At about 28 minutes , golf on the moon: it seems to me that the game to be invented from golf is PINBALL.(SUPER pinball.)

[@jeffroche2214]

How big is Antarctica? Does a secret civilization exist down there?

[@adamking1612]

Nice

[@StruggleBoxing]

30:20 "The wheel of fate is turning" [Blazblue announcer voice]

[@imlordkrunic2737]

guys didn't find charles liu podcast any help?? thanks

[@jeepspeedracer]

I wonder how close to escape velocity an arrow would be. can the strongest crossbow put one into orbit on the moon?

[@user-qt8hb3ct4k]

They should build an Octogon where scientists challenge each other

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

I beat Shmargnarf at 3D pool the other day!🥳 Oh, and he said earth will be sterilized next Wednesday.🤯

[@jeremyfry2063]

Chucks our buddy, he's a little more than a honorary. With a close friend like Neil around all the time, intelligence just rubs off ya know lol.

[@LV75RDM]

Based on the thumbnail I thought this was a time travel episode, I feel catfished.

[@khronicman2009]

When Neil said Wheel of Education, I was thinking the same thing as Chuck 🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞……………

[@SSgtJohnEP]

Multiple areas with their own ball that can only be played in that area. Other balls can only be kicked back to it's designated area. This would keep people from just standing around and interactive enough to be considered the same game.

[@quirkyviper]

Excuse me, but did I hear Dr. Liu correctly? 3 or 4 years from now with ppl on the moon in a habitable base? I'm new-ish to the channel, so I might just be wayyy behind on the technology we have, but even thinking that could be possible within my lifetime is wild to me.

[@universeisundernoobligatio3283]

How about hang gliding on the moon you could stay up forever by just flapping your wings. Put a dome on a crater and fill it with air.

[@andrewlopez9697]

So how did they not think of shooting the archery targets either free floating in space at targets on the moon or targets floating in space while u are on the moon

[@teresagarsia8937]

Mr Neal since the universe is bigger than light years what's bigger than the universe question

[@justincosby6809]

How can I experience the octagon or am I the octagon?

[@thej3799]

Talk to that yt guy that did the video on the best javelin thrower ever never been accelerated my focus about something I thought was boring.

[@lirmchip]

He's a ledged in his own mind, monsters from the ID I down want to see his