How Mythology Influenced the Constellations | Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains…

How did Greek mythology influence the stars? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore the myth of Medusa and what it shows about ancient theories about sight.
Learn about discovering the mechanism of sight in the golden age of Islam. Are there other examples of misconceptions about sight in mythology? We explore the constellation of Perseus, the head of Medusa, and the variable star that is her eye.
Video Credits:
The Constellations - Perseus | Delta Planetarium:
• The Constellations - P...
Image Credit:
Perseus vs the Kraken by VegasMike
www.deviantart.com/vegasmike/...
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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
00:00 - Medusa’s Eyes & Algol
03:14 - Misconceptions of Vision & Ibn al-Haytham
05:50 - Other Vision Stories

[@StarTalk]

Which is your favorite story in the sky?

[@silvershadow013]

The 7 sisters...Pleiades

[@IshaqIbrahim3]

Timeline: 3:56 I wonder why it is called Islamic Golden Age, thereby excluding Christians, Jews and other groups of contributors instead of calling it Baghdad Golden Age or Abbasid Dynasty Golden Age. The label makes it look like the sciences come from Islam when Islam has little to do with science. And in some cases steps on science and discourage some scientific researches.

[@skeller61]

I’m partial to the Chinese story of Chang’e. I won’t recount the story here, but it’s pretty cool, as myths go. The Chinese named their 2007 rocket to the moon after Chang’e, which I thought made a lot more sense than the US naming their moon rockets after a sun god (Apollo). I guess they’re getting better with Artemis. Thanks for Star Talk!

[@momagraf]

The Dpgpns people and de hidden Sirius star.

[@DipenDas-nf7ho]

Hindu Moon God has 27 wives. The 27 constellations in Hindu Astronomy.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024

[@ArtsyHime]

😂😭

[@SpyroTek]

What does this mean?

[@kirandeepchakraborty7921]

Who would be Veep?

[@raymondamador1487]

This is why I don't believe in Astrology. The constellations are just connect the dots in the nights sky. They are only visible from our vantage point. They don't mean anything. If our vision was different we would've connected different stars and made other myths.

[@a.j.infowars7582]

What?

[@silvershadow013]

Holy cow!!! Listen to you!!!! (Chuck). You may not have a PhD, but don't underestimate yourself! It has been so great watching you grow over the years! (In scientific literacy)

[@jeffreysherman8224]

Neil - "What do you know about Medusa?" Chuck - "Uhh... I don't wanna see her. I know that." 😅 I'm instantly cracking up with Chuck & Neil. 😂

[@FellVoice]

Actually the sea monster was Cetus. The Kraken was from Norse myth and was substituted for Cetus in Clash of the Titans. The Kraken btw was a giant octopus in Norse myth.

[@demonwaterdemonwater4993]

So it was a squid ? Or octopus they do come that big

[@FellVoice]

@@demonwaterdemonwater4993 It's been depicted as octopus and squid and no they don't come that big. It was a myth based on the giant squid that do exist in Scandinavian waters. In the tales it was a ship wrecking monster so it probably was just tentacled and scary without being either animal entirely the same way Fenris wasn't a normal wolf in any regard. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken

[@ooo00OOQ]

Thanks ! I was about to write the same comment. BTW, I'm not a fan of the Kraken appearing in Perseus films. I love the Kraken in Pirates O. C. though .

[@FellVoice]

@@ooo00OOQ I grew up with the Kraken in the original Clash of the Titans and didn't know that the Cetus substitution was made for a looong time. Sadly, I think that a lot of the intentional mistakes that were made for the movie are what people think of as correct like I don't think Perseus ever rode Pegasus, I'm pretty sure it was Bellerophon. I think there was only one Pegasus as that was his name and not his breed and there was not a herd of them etc. Basically they did a mashup of the myths to make a movie with no regard for accuracy and unless you tell them the common person will never know the difference, lol.

[@Wis_Dom]

Who cares? It's all fake anyway. No need for arguments and corrections. It's too trivial, lol!

[@snakemasterthorno]

You guys always brighten up my day whenever I see your show. Neil with your scientific explanations and Chuck with your humoristic yet sharp remarks.

[@sebastianardila7263]

There are two people in this planet i'd love to meet , Neil deGrasse Tyson and GM Hikaru Nakamura, if you ever come to Colombia, i would be honored to be your translator. Thanks for the never ending enjoyable content you provide to us ,who never quench our knowledge thirst.

[@topspacesource]

Chuck is getting more and more intelligent on each show..😎

[@machinarum]

He always has been intelligent. He is more knowledgeable. Hail Lord Chuck! 🤣😁

[@hubert4887]

The stories behind constellations are always fun

[@Bratfalken]

Yes, and the fact that when the myths and constellations where starting to get noticed, the place and formation of the stars included where many times different than what we see now. Difference in distance and direction of appeared movement has changed during the 2-4-6000 years passed, how these look now is not what they looked that long ago. You can use pc programs like Stellarium to move the timescale back to these times and have the formations visible while doing it. It makes for a fun thing to test.:)

[@Silvia6]

Chuck Nice ❤

[@philreeves2404]

Our world is improved by people like Dr. Tyson. No joke. N.D.T speaks in language that most regular folk can grasp, knows of what he speaks, and issues a refreshing lack of agenda or BS. Cheers Sir. And Chuck's cool too.

[@dawnhansen7886]

I'll NEVER get enough StarTalk ❤ I love it ❕️❕️❕️❕️❕️❕️❕️

[@jeanine219]

Love your show Neil and Chuck. Also enjoyed the various visuals that were inserted at strategic times.

[@enoughstuff333]

The visuals are on point 😊

[@StarTalk]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@solomonizuchukwu5573]

The editing is cool.

[@komakozie]

Right!?

[@OttertheSkysplitter]

I saw Neil DeGrasse Tyson while he was in Texas this past month, and I can now die in peace. I hate that I had to leave early, but I had to pick up my son, who had to listen to me go on an hour-long rant on how I saw NEIL DEGRASSE FRIGGIN TYSON!!!! He was not amused. 😂😂😂Youre the man, Neil! Love ya from Texas to Messier 33 lol

[@Mando4Dan]

As a young person, I lived in a place where there was no light "pollution" or noise once the sun set and the evening sky took stage. I developed a powerful connection with the beauty of the night sky. The feeling I had at times was beyond my ability to express, it was beyond poetry, religion and maybe even peace. Unaware, I made up my own constellations. They became my personal icons for my deepest feelings. I moved away to find work and pursue education but I look forward to one day returning to see if I can once again make that connection. Thanks for the entertainment and education.

[@aceclipse]

which was this place?

[@wavemaker54]

I knew a Medusa when I was younger, every time I looked at her I turned to stone. Fortunately it was just one part and eventually returned to normal.🙂

[@nsideoutn8439]

😂😂😂😅😅

[@vheckthordrey13]

🤣

[@user..-.]

I LOVE THE STAR BACKGROUND. NEVER STOP HAVING IT!

[@harryc6181]

Great story telling/ edits in the video, had a good time watching.

[@alanhehe4508]

Such a fun and informative show!! You guys bring some light into the world, on many levels.

[@somendrasaini7807]

Perfect timing.. i was just browsing through Startalk page, and im the first here...😂

[@AwakeInAnacortes]

Excellent conversation about magical thinking!

[@jamestaylor8491]

Hey thanks for letting on last night - Those folks were obviously light years more intelligent than myself enjoyed listening - I’m the slow talking avg Joe just learning - you let me speak anyway Thanks 4 that! You have always been 1 of my most trusted & admired sources- That was a kind honor ❤

[@MissingMars]

Neil such a scientist with a heart! luv it! Thanks much

[@galactic-gumbo9911]

The editing has DEFINITELY improved 💯💯💯

[@kathryntate6809]

YAY!!!! YOU GUYS ARE BACK!!!!

[@dre3k78]

Chuck coming with that heat.

[@billwagner8353]

I like how you work together!!!!!😆

[@scienceaffairs2919]

Interesting and thought provoking....

[@LuLU-ep7wf]

I love this, thank you Dr Tyson

[@crakky5973]

Nice

[@bgbthabun627]

Chuck!!

[@petersage5157]

Seymour didn't die of a broken heart; he died of old age waiting for Fry to return. He was written as an homage to Hachikō.

[@mrsanchaz2003]

Good to have you back lord nice 🎉🎉🎉

[@mikaela_history]

Awesome ❤

[@knighthawk6554]

Imagine how far humanity could be if we all worked as a union, had more scientists, no politics, and just more focus on space and the earth, I mean there's so much information out there but we have so many distractions that really won't do anything for humanity in the long run, sure let's have fun but let's not forget those who will be here way after our deaths.

[@Mehrunzebub]

They make my day. Everyday.

[@TheUpstateMusicChannel]

Absolutely love you Guys!!!

[@roxcastaneda]

Love you Chuck!

[@BryanDoesCinema]

The scriptures actually say that "as she turned her head she became a pillar of salt" so it was her motive, not just the act.

[@ernestdavis]

Chuck is the best 😂

[@evolutionofbeliefs]

mythology demonstrates how far we have come in understanding astronomy.The naming of constellation has slightly changed in modern times

[@anthony..23]

Gracias

[@RosellArriolaEvangelist]

Love it 😀

[@ManaBDew]

Greetings Gentlemen: Extremely Extraordinary segment.

[@LennyDucano]

This one was hilarious guys lolol thanks for that

[@Offline347]

I was gonna say something but my mind went blank watching this. Hi, CHUCK!!💥boom.

[@aleckg5291]

New video alert! New video alert! Please do science of quantumania pls 🙏

[@likemeordont5951]

But did they create the stories to go along with the characters they could "see" in the night sky, or did they see clusters of stars in the sky and as we do with clouds, make out the shapes of familiar objects and characters to fit the stories that were passed down from their ancestors?

[@yaboyremo3657]

I have some questions. the JWT was made to detect infrared light because we can no longer see the ultraviolet light from the early universe because the of the stretching of wavelengths that goes on after that much distance/time right? if we had to make the JWT for the infrared, is there something else it turns into after that? Like is there a new telescope we could design to see what infrared would turn into similar to how we made a telescope to see what ultraviolet turned into? Would it be possible to have our minds blown again by detecting something older and further that shouldn't technically be possible because there shouldn't have been anything before the big bang?

[@nanousblues]

I love looking at the sky from my bedroom window and the more I look at celestial bodies, the less astrology and constellation names and "meaning" make sense but the more I'm in awe. The broken heart is sadly a bad example, look up "broken heart syndrome" or takotsubo syndrome. It's provoked by acute stress and causes the heart to drastically weaken, obviously the loss of a loved one can be an acute stress, that's why it's called broken heart syndrome.

[@sleepysam100]

Ayyyeeeee!!!! Good to see Chuck back in the cat bird seat!

[@farrscape11]

Hi Neil I was just wondering if you could do a segment on all the dwarf planets in our solar system I have read that there is about 8 which includes Pluto

[@user-uj3wx2vl7z]

Chuck is hilarious 😂

[@northernlight8857]

i love mythology and their ctrazy stories. Favorites are norse, greek, irish and christianity. I am reading islamic mythology now and its not as good as the rest. So I am turning to hindu mythology next. I have heard good stuff about that

[@robbieparr3753]

I’m just throwing this out there, Dr. Tyson should be the next Doctor (Whovian) and Chuck Nice should be the companion. Consider this BBC: Doctor Tyson has a great persona and he’s an actual doctor of timey wimey! As a bonus Chuck and Neil already have a chemistry. You got Neil, Chuck, all you need is a blue box and you got a show.

[@Zazamarkle]

That subway feeling is your neck eye actually. We have 3 rd eye and a neckeye apparently 😮

[@flyingark173]

OMG I Love how you use spongebob to illustrate your point!!!

[@kenbrady119]

At 10:18 Chuck asks - "Where did the Devil go?" Simple answer: into the details! Sure, modern scanning technology lets us see fascinating patterns in brain activity. But we've also been listening to the chirps, clicks and songs of highly intelligent aquatic mammals for decades, and we still cannot decipher their language. Might AI help? Nonetheless, this is a wonderful remembrance of the constellations, a testament to the mind's affinity for finding patterns. Thank you.

[@gsav1320]

🐐🐐🐐 CHUCK DA MAN 🐐🐐🐐🐐‼️‼️‼️ Neil a w teacher too he makes intellectual curiosity cool and exciting. Chuck the man tho keepin it real and digestible for all

[@funlover1977]

Fun fact: medusa (apart from being a terrifying creature in Greek mythology) is just a common word for a jellyfish nowadays in all Slovian languages I know :)

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Fun fact: medusa is the scientific name for the free swimming form of cnidarians

[@StarTalk]

In Greek as well!

[@MissingMars]

not to mention there's much we've yet to learn ;-}

[@tjmasemola4054]

The timing on this is crazy,i was just watching Percy Jackson

[@neilstandish455]

Chuck is funny 😅

[@abugaray4739]

Chuck! Do away with the heart!

[@ilovemyk20a3]

OMG I never thought of that 🤯 epilepsy and exorcism 😳☠️

[@petercosta7662]

Chuck and Neil come up the mountain for a day or 2,I got some new news for yall,mountain life

[@julieinthedesert420]

Broken heart syndrome is a real thing. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or "Broken Heart Syndrome" is when the heart muscle becomes suddenly stunned or weakened. It mostly occurs following severe emotional or physical stress. -St. Vincent's Hosp. Australia.

[@sekaramochi]

Sorry Chuck that creepy person in the subway was Me... I just wanted your autograph and to tell you and Neil. Please please please never stop ♥️

[@DannyCastillo-es3co]

Thank You All !

[@houssembezzouza5005]

who try to add unrelated meaning according to their shallow understanding & whims to an Already extremely precise revelation which describes the reality of all things & meanings in truth ...

[@edenb329]

10:08 "this child's got da devil in 'em"

[@codyfabian5120]

Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson on as guests for a new episode ? Hopefully NDT or Chuck sees this, I think it would make a great episode

[@briankelley616]

Ok, so does the act of observing something change it or not? If so then how? 🤔

[@F_L_U_X]

Woo!

[@gregschramm8180]

That’s all mental energy

[@sakismpalatsias4106]

I agree IBN Al-Haytham was extremely smart and developed the modern concept of scientific method. he was bad as in the field of science. Though the Greeks myths did develop way before the Greek golden age. By the time of the Hellenistic era in the library of Alexandria.. they already started to understand that human anatomy worked differently. Like Herophilus and Erasistratus,

[@Ben-pd2bx]

7:14 "The man had bacon with every meal. You can't do that." You think we ain't seen City Slickers, Chuck?

[@tydemeter1]

❤

[@DipakBakrania]

I don't think Neil understands what dying of a broken heart is. By the way, love you Neil

[@UCjNrKLyRJI-abFA8qiNo92Q]

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

[@SpyroTek]

Bacon.

[@Harambae613]

6:43 I was enjoying this and then...WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?

[@wiktoriatluvi]

but then again Medusa's "laser eyes' wouldn't work if your eyes were closed, it's not like she looked at you and you turned into stronę, it's that you had to catch her looking at you/her face not covered by anything in a way 🤔

[@pepp1989]

U 4 black men R crazy Always filled with plenty humour and a ton of intelligence Proud to be witness to your ever lively discourse

[@pepp1989]

So Medusa musta bit chuck Christ bro u guys r totally crazy Yeah da devil right

[@666nofun]

I love watching the star talk and you Mr. Tyson. Only one thing bothers me. Your colleague talks a lot, in fact very often interrupts you in your opinion and the term you want to explain. Don't be angry, but I find it very irritating. I would like it if your colleague who gives a more relaxed pace of the show, intrudes a little less on your presentation. Otherwise, I appreciate both you and your colleague..

[@SkillTimO]

What is with all these ADD cut scenes? Am I right?

[@Kuro_Tsuki]

Chuck: Where did the Devil *go?* Down to Georgia, Chuck. He was lookin' for a soul to steal.

[@manofohmchemicalcreations1983]

I want you to try something... Think of it as a fun devils advocate experiment kind of thing... Reread all the old books, but this time start at the end of the book (as if it were the beginning). Chronos that is to say.

[@Kindrick]

Medusa: "Eyes up here, buddy." Perseus, intently staring at her chest: "No."

[@sebastiaankohler2290]

And then came quantum mechanics, stating that you change something by observing it (observer effect)

[@tomnaughadie]

Exactly.

[@diggity1039]

R.I.P. Seymour

[@mrmrjerich]

Medusa is meant to teach the lesson of not being frozen with fear. Or fear is the mind killer. Be able to kiss Medusa on the lips and be unaffected. Think outside of the box here. Everything in plain sight

[@sakismpalatsias4106]

Unleash the kraken

[@dianagross8784]

Can't help but think of Sydney Powell when he said that

[@MisterTee2010]

Lot's wife was not named, she was just reffered to as Lot's Wife. And she turned into a pillar of salt, not stone.

[@karenlynne6200]

dying of a broken heart = might be a heart attack (Neil) = might be too much bacon (Chuck) LMAO how romantic! Thank you both! LOL :D

[@ar-visions]

you cannot tell when someone is looking at you, in a controlled test. also news, in a controlled test, photons behave differently when you start to measure. interesting fact. just reference the material experiments we make at the subatomic level. on this basis, we cant have much confidence in our experiment correct? i dont quite believe a person can always know at will, as thats an absurdity too. pure extrapolative statements usually dont add up in a universe that proves itself more strange and interesting than we imagine.

[@stuartmcgates3264]

I wanted to ask "Could Einstein's law of gravity be the reason as to why satellites revolve around the earth without fall in to it or the earth revolve around the sun without falling to it"

[@mrmrjerich]

Echo chambers reflect back what we think, say, feel. Satisfice, important to understand. A hamster in a cage surrounded by a busy household with threats all around, likely believes his tiny hole is the safest place. Even the other hamsters shout and argue over which side of the hole or cage is best. Even their elder hamster says, well the house was better over there. Sometimes the hamsters just need another perspective, even if it seems contrary. One should have an open mind, but not so much that if falls into the hands of another

[@1truthse3ker]

😂 Look here'... NO' !!!😂😅You guys are great!

[@michaelprohr]

Isn’t broken heart syndrome a clinically understood diagnosis?

[@ManaBDew]

Yet we have Color blind people. It’s amazing to see the expression of the ones that get to see by new technology color correction lens type ☝️😎👍 Glasses 👓

[@jeanetjensen6474]

Hi 🙏🌎🇩🇰👍