Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Mercury in Retrograde

Mercury is in Retrograde. What does that mean for you, if it means anything at all? Neil deGrasse Tyson is here to help you understand what it all means. Alongside comic co-host Chuck Nice, we take a trip back in time to understand why this phrase has survived since the reign of the ancient Greeks.
Discover what is actually happening when a planet goes into retrograde. You’ll learn what the world was like before the scientific method was widely used and how the implementation of experimentation and hypothesis catapulted civilization forward. We trace our understanding of the planets from a time where humans thought Earth was at the center of the universe. Find out why the ancient Greeks referred to planets as wanderers when they first discovered them.
You’ll hear why the foundations of astrology have no justification in a scientifically literate and modern world. Then, we investigate why humans are in such need to have things explained. All that, plus, Neil shares why it takes a lot of hubris to think the universe actually cares about you.
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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, 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
0:00 - Introduction
1:03 - The World Prior To A Scientific Method
3:44 - Where We Get The Word 'Planet'
5:04 - What Is Retrograde?
9:16 - Why Astrology References Retrograde
10:41 - Humans' Need For Meaning
17:36 - Closing Notes

[@tjentertainmentstudio]

Neil, you're an amazing instructor. Please don't ever die.

[@teof99]

I second this petition.

[@MrSuperaptor]

Elon musk will reassure he won’t

[@Eye.Am.Divine]

Great sentiments! A lil morbid but, I 100% agree! 😆

[@joeblow6100]

what did he explain exactly? he knows nothing about what mercury in retrograde means other than watching a telescope

[@clydeoquendo7147]

Begins funding for the “Freeze Neil” project

[@rlsd420gamechat]

instead of telling someone see you another day could we all start saying see you next rotation.

[@atlantamore]

RLSD420 Gamechat too many syllables

[@anubis63000jd]

@@atlantamore Lets say "tomorrow" Nah.. still too many syllables.

[@VentDeux]

Later Dude

[@benl8962]

I am def gonna do this xD. Sounds awesome

[@addamriley5452]

Why even bother talking... consciousness is a singularity. Everyone in the universe is the same person in a different shape arranged to pre set morphologies. Why not try learning to interface with your other selves, the way ETs do... ETs aren’t allowed to be public until we figure it out anyway 😏

[@lekanswansons3646]

My kids will watch old cartoons and Neild Degrasse Tyson every day growing up.

[@novabova07]

He'll be the next gen's Bill Nye

[@ikitclaw7146]

So your gonna to force what you like on your child rather than letting them develop their own tastes and discover the world their own way? some people shouldn't be aloud children.

[@dierandomdie]

@@ikitclaw7146 If you're going to act superior to somebody, please learn the difference between aloud and allowed.

[@hatezis]

@@ikitclaw7146 he or she didnt Say that, only that he or she will show these to the kids. The forcing was your addition, and you made yourself angry. Pretty funny actually 😉

[@markstewart8171]

@@ikitclaw7146 Some people shouldn't be allowed to think. Jab jab.

[@michaelsaxton7966]

Dr. Tyson. Your choice of wall art is impeccable. Outstanding move.

[@filthyprimary]

Anyone know what the south american/native American art is?

[@stacywalpole6826]

@@filthyprimary I was wondering the same. Central American?

[@vallerygroenewald4694]

@@filthyprimary inuit.com/collections/vendors?q=Jane%20Kwatleematt%20Marston

[@lilitheden748]

Indeed it was the first thing I saw. I like the native art.

[@cook1756]

@@filthyprimary it's Coast Salish art, on the west coast of BC Canada, and extending down the coast into the states. It is one of a few bigger nations on the west coast. We are their neighbours, I am kwakwaka'wakw, a bit more northern from them, but still coastal.

[@felipedumar7796]

Neil: speaks Chuck: oh oh

[@ejmtv3]

Also works the other way around. Neil always "forgets to add one more thing" especially when Chuck is already talking lol

[@bullettube9863]

I love it when these guys get together! They take a seemingly complicated question and break it down into simple answers.

[@michaelfraley3841]

When he explained where the name planet came from , my mind just exploded.

[@rravitejamavr6650]

That's why he always say we are the decedents of Astronomers.

[@Surmoka]

Why? About half of English vocabulary comes from Latin (Roman) or Greek.

[@carultch]

@@Surmoka Some of it is a mixture of both. Words like television, and automobile, have half their word as Latin and half their word as Greek.

[@aaronseet2738]

πλάνης

[@pedroakjr2371]

literally tho?

[@thebassrogue]

I love how this channel teaches science in a light-hearted and spirituous manner... So that dumdums like me can be interested and understand

[@saddozz]

These talks keep me up all night! Wondering, Dreaming, Imagining.

[@neeleshreddychintala]

I have same sleepless nights these days

[@jerroncrowder6261]

That train analogy was quite genius and informative. Neil thank you sir

[@aaronseet2738]

"It is human to err. It is more human to blame it on others." ~ carving on random coffee shop table

[@toastytoast9800]

Lucky, all i get is gum on the underside of the table

[@tach5884]

That sounds Mark Twain Adjacent.

[@ilarious5729]

I have errare humanum est tattoo, hmm to be continued I see

[@dierandomdie]

@@reallymysterious4393 Technically humans are horrible and narcissistic by nature (in the view of someone with a sense of right and wrong). All in the name of survival of the fittest and the species. Though society has come to a point where that behavior isn't necessary, and is frowned upon by others. Some people are just born with old genes I guess.

[@whoshotdk]

Yes, you spelled "error" wrong. ;-)

[@Geez01]

Watch this 3 times to be sure I didn't miss anything. I can listen to Mr Tyson all day.

[@JeanVermeersch]

I love how Chuck is always faking super well the surprise when Neil is explaining to him for the 15th time that wanderer in ancient greek is said "Planetes" 👍🏻😁

[@kiznkel]

Go back even further …. Africa ,Egypt the moors

[@quahntasy]

*These guys are at it again* Love these talks. Keep em coming please.

[@everblu]

Thank you for editing out and muting some of Chuck’s mid-thought interruptions. I was able to flow Neil’s points much easier. I don’t know whose call it was, but thank you.

[@hatezis]

science + wisdom + humor = StarTalk

[@whykoks]

I feel Niel is actually a better comedian among the two because his humor has depth...

[@enricocurcio1610]

Neil: It was 7 planets and lost 2 so now it's 6 me: What... well he might be right, and in the end... HE WAS, i love u man.

[@Hibiki_vtuber]

You do not question the astrophysicist's maths lol

[@Hibiki_vtuber]

@worldmadebyphysics1 yeah, we got that

[@faisalbantog4704]

And he added the earth so it's 6

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

@worldmadebyphysics1 thank you mr obvious

[@broomemike1]

@@ViratKohli-jj3wj He's just correcting an inaccuracy... That's part of the point of this story. If no one checks the "facts" then we will just believe in heavy objects falling faster, lol.

[@Duececoupe]

Wooohoooo....became a Patreon yesterday! Happy days! Lunch is on me fellas! 🍕🍻

[@nicholaslynn2944]

Grats.

[@gtbkts]

Nice

[@TheBlueprintsOrlando]

Woohoo indeed!

[@thomasthompson5613]

I mean... I can send you my Venmo... I could use lunch.

[@smitabhandari9327]

Congrats bro Can you ask them a question from me bro pls Is the universe flat or is it in layers and what is outside the universe?

[@jantomandl40]

One of the best chemistry I have seen in a long time.

[@carlatteniese2]

Great explainer! I loved this one, especially in your explaining the vault of the stars and planets; I read about this when I was a kid (always read about space--and still do), but weaving astrology in there was great.

[@suefalls1600]

We need you more now than ever! Thank you!!!!

[@anthonypawelek6298]

Ok I understand what you're saying but my question is when Mercury is in retrograde how much toilet paper and paper towel do I need to buy?

[@VentDeux]

Your bowels will be in retrograde

[@nkm901]

He said CV didnt happen when mercury was in retrograde but that actually makes CV look like a planned event because it happened right after Merc Retro ended. That wouldn't mean much but when the merc retro in Dec 2019 ended Nancy Pelosi did her Trump impeachment fiasco and when the one in Aug 2019 ended the El Paso Wal-Mart shooting happened. I know us humans are wired to try and find patterns in everything but if a serious event happens during the week after the end of this current retrograde (which ends July 11th) then it has to be more than just a coincidence.

[@ARandomInternetUser08]

@@nkm901 but we have to admit, some things just do clearly come together sometimes.

[@ryanx9372]

All of it (everything) you will NEED!

[@sondrajean955]

😆😆😆

[@williesmith9832]

Jesus... this was just a BEAUTIFUL episode! I look forward to watching new episodes everyday but, this one was fire!!!

[@benjaminbrewer2569]

I’m going to write a sci-fi novel where there are astrologers on the outer planets who discuss the psychological effects of earth in retrograde.

[@rebecatimoteojb]

NEILL YOU'RE SO FUNNY I LOVE ASTROPHYSICS BECAUSE OF YOU

[@sirinorthpaw3993]

Thank you for making me feel insignificant and that I cause all my problems... No but seriously this was super interesting. And inspiring

[@michellea9471]

ANOTHER GREAT EPISODE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MY FRIENDS !

[@ORagnar]

Interestingly, it was Aristotle who had the idea of the scientific method. He had the idea of going by the facts, formulating hypotheses, and testing them through logic against the facts and continuing the cycle. He also had the idea of finding principles of operation, i.e. essentials. That is, the idea of "without which not," which means what particular things give rise to this thing. John Herman Randall wrote a book titled "Aristotle," that describes this, published circa 1960. Aristotle also talked about testing ideas out against reality. I don't know how that squares with his ideas on physics. It is true that if you drop a feather it will fall more slowly than a rock, so perhaps air resistance was what made it difficult to figure out.

[@November8888]

Well mentioned. Epic book too. Must read Nicomachean ethics

[@jorgepeterbarton]

exactly. Pre-discovery of what 'air' was...we have to start somewhere surely. This confuses many of Newton's equations which take place in hypothetical non-earth places. He also though force was equal to mass*speed because to know it need acceleration: well first you need to know that with friction/air resistance an acceleration is applied for a NET constant speed, and secondly to apply mathetmatics and understanding of dimensions and calculus to the assumption of 'no instantaneous action'. But in a vaccuum an object can move at the speed it started out as with no additional force. If it were speed then a force would seem to immediately act- reverse the equation, there must be time taken for the force to be applied. an extra dimension.

[@daieast6305]

there probably have been many persons to have thought all of that and more as every step you take is on sacred ground

[@user-lo3er3th8g]

Nah let neil deGrasse Tyson tell u that only people in the last 400 years thought of that 😂

[@joeblow6100]

dude you totally blew your comment. go write a book about nothing

[@creativename6767]

When you’re so early you comment before the video ends “When you’re faster than light the only thing you can see is darkness”

[@malfi8867]

What...? So, if I’m late, I can’t comment until the video ends?

[@jonathanaragones6888]

One part of Law of limitation.

[@dierandomdie]

I'm 10 hours late and commenting before the video ends. Science!

[@firstlast-fr1le]

@@dierandomdie Witchcraft.

[@PSBosses]

I would love to see Neil`s reaction when he find himself in another dimension when he passes away...

[@VentDeux]

probably become a TV physicist in that dimension. Fill the void they have.

[@kodomotachi1]

He'd probably start studying and analysing the reality around him. Questioning, testing, and thoroughly loving the process of knowing.

[@rochelledais6413]

Thanks for the explanation. Very informative. I always wanted the true definition. Hello from STRIVE! Hello Chuck!

[@atulkishan3752]

I was explaining tis to my little sister yesterday only... Thanks neil for putting it so beautifully and interestingly

[@abbaskabir333]

Hello Dr. Tyson, I love to watch your videos and learn about astrophysics. I am a PhD student in pharmacology in NYC. I had a few questions about the solar system and would love to hear from you. 1) Does the sun revolve and have an orbit or is it 100% stationary and is just floating in space? 2) How can we tell whether its Earth that’s revolving around the sun or the sun revolving around Earth? 3) Can you discuss the proof of solar-centricity of the solar system or dis-prove the geo-centricity of it? Many thanks. Would love to hear from you. Thank you for all the knowledge you share. -Abbas

[@creativename6767]

Flat Earther?

[@thesars101]

The scariest thing is we are moving around the sun. But i think we are moving away from it.

[@Beltalowda666]

Hello Abbas, to answer your first question, the sun does move... EVERYTHING in the universe moves. The sun has an axis it rotates on, so in a way it has its own "days"... although with it's composition different parts of its surface rotate faster than others. And the sun orbits the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Our solar system, the planets, asteroids and moons are all being dragged along by the Sun (properly called Sol) at a velocity of about 828,000 kph. But at the distance from the center of the Milky Way that we orbit, it takes a few hundred million years for Sol to do one orbit. So if you measure Sol's age by how many times it has completed orbits of the Milky Way, our solar system is only 16 years old 😉 4.5 billion Earth years (age of our solar system) divided by 280 million Earth years (time it takes Sol to orbit).

[@rahulchahal5360]

Are you serious?

[@Bruno-xc3du]

The Sun orbits the Black hole in the center of our galaxy. To the other stuff: We had no direct view of Earth until the dawn of the Space Age. Finding physical evidence that our planet revolves around the Sun took some clever thinking to prove that this heliocentric model of our solar system represents reality. The idea is ancient. Around 230 b.c., the Greek philosopher Aristarchus suggested that this was the case. He was an outstanding observer and based this idea on careful observations. Still, without direct proof that Earth moves, Aristotle’s Earth-centered universe remained the dominant model for centuries. In 1610, Galileo turned his new telescope toward Venus. To his amazement, he saw the planet pass through phases just like the Moon. Galileo correctly surmised that this could happen only if Venus had an orbit closer to the Sun than Earth’s orbit. With improved telescopes, astronomers started looking for another proof of Earth’s motion around the Sun, stellar parallax. Earth’s orbit is huge - some 186 million miles (300,000 kilometers) in diameter. If an astronomer measures the position of a nearby star, and then measures it again six months later, the star’s apparent position against the background of more distant stars should shift a tiny amount. Observing this would prove that Earth in fact is not stationary. It wasn’t until 1838 that an astronomer finally detected this shift. That year, German astronomer Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel successfully measured the parallax of the star 61 Cygni. And there’s yet another proof. Imagine standing still with rain coming straight down. To stay dry, you just hold your umbrella directly over your head. As you begin to walk, however, you need to tilt the umbrella “into” the rain, even though the rain is coming straight down. The faster you walk, the greater the tilt needs to be. As Earth orbits the Sun, we can detect a “tilt” of incoming starlight. English astronomer James Bradley discovered this phenomenon in 1725 by accident - while he was searching for stellar parallax! This aberration of starlight, as it is called, is a result of light having a finite speed and Earth’s motion around the Sun.

[@mokgethwamosoma382]

love this channel SOUTH AFRICA

[@lwethumadlingozi9390]

Awe another south african

[@dierandomdie]

Howdy from Texas!

[@Thabaniization]

Aweh

[@lwethumadlingozi9390]

@@dierandomdie awe ma se poes That's hi in south african

[@toddhoward862]

Bonjour!

[@zealest2011]

This is one of the best program online..👍

[@salty82ndveteran]

And the history is ON POINT 👉 Awesome awesome job again guys!!!

[@rjysraelsalinas6183]

Chuck's Ex when Chuck mentioned her: 🥺 Chuck's Ex when NDT roasted her: 😳

[@TranceCore3]

You're the ex

[@knifetoucher]

"Unimpeachably smart" I see what you did there!

[@johnvlasiou3222]

Huh

[@honestly_7724]

Same haha

[@ElderBard00]

Ohhhhhhhhhh.... Nice!!!!!!

[@ThePoliticalSpotlight]

No

[@toluadegbehingbe5476]

@@johnvlasiou3222 if you know you know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@JJ-de9vf]

Watching at 3:49 Am from Nairobi Kenya. 🙌❤️

[@SeanKennardRN]

"Unimpeachably smart" - my favorite new description of myself 🤓

[@pannadarao5583]

Dr.Tyson Master of science...the way he explain science is just awesome. You always blows my mind,every video I learn something new. Such a big inspiration to the science community.

[@joeblow6100]

he literally said nothing.

[@shubhamkalikar5141]

Idk why I come here everyday.... And listen everything this man says....

[@MrBTDhimself]

Thank you for dropping knowledge Neil!

[@BondiAV]

As usually, hats off to the explanations provided. Beautifully done! This is one channel where I will even watch videos about things that I already know, simply because I love the way they are presented. Thank you.

[@leatherface4133]

Everything stops when Neil pops up 😂

[@JessicaReinke]

I paused my audiobook as soon as I saw the notification

[@Juankarosemena]

This was a great video! Thank you for sharing

[@MeanaBeana391]

Wow...your closing statements are outstanding! ...paraphrased: not abrogating your responsibility for YOUR behaviors !

[@thelyrebird1310]

I would love to know how Neil would rename the astrological terms and vocabulary if we never those original incorrect concepts of space and the solar system.

[@christophero3869]

Instead of Mercury being in retrograde, you’d say Mercury is going vroom vroom.

[@swarnimanand5179]

@@christophero3869 no mercury is doing a back flip

[@tka5383]

We might have ended up naming the seven days after the seven dwarfs.

[@Chris-hx3om]

I think you have it around the wrong way. The terms used in science/astronomy should be considered the proper term, and any astrology wants to use would be the ones needing a new name.

[@jorgepeterbarton]

usually we just stick the word "apparent..." before if anything is based on our view from earth. Apparent retrograde motion, apparent magnitude, etc. Although the edge of the universe is very much based on our view as observer but that's much further away. Not to mention quantum physics used "observer" and borrowed everyday language, whilst its not entirely analogous....just remember a 'science word' is usually borrowed from everyday words and yet holds a different specific, technical meaning.

[@stelioscharalambides8194]

To the one dislike the video has while I'm watching: I don't know who you are. I don't know why you watched. I know you believe in astrology and I'm sorry you got upset about the video. I'm also sorry you believe in astrology. Humans are better than that

[@rdspam]

I’m sorry you get annoyed by how some stranger feels. Interesting that you think you know what they believe in though. I’m sorry that you believe in ESP.

[@AliKhan-sy9jy]

Damn bro. You made me cry

[@louspawn10]

You gotta love when you listen to Neil speak Greek, coming from a Greek fan!

[@pityparty9955]

His explanations are so, so clear.

[@gonzalodavidvazquezgonzale5796]

So Dr Tyson has the ability to hear what the other person is saying and he can wait until the other has stopped talking to continue talking himself. Fascinating

[@Crabnebula23]

Ya but we should just let GENIUSES talk as they like. He has to get it out verbally sometimes...like a mad scientist on a chalkboard. I'm sure his goal is to HELP us expand our minds with different backdrop views ; )

[@Uathankicks]

Couldn’t agree more with the “offloading of accountabilities”

[@lordrudimus]

Love vids Neil Your awesome at your approach Comedy great!!!! Keep it coming please

[@josephjeon804]

The ad for this vid was literally neil's masterclass

[@JustSomeCanuck]

Every video Neil puts up is a master class, even if it isn't a MasterClass.

[@ethandunn7026]

I actually had to explain this to my mother once. I knew how mercury moved, but not if it actually effected everything. I used the car analogy, so I was happy to hear the train analogy 😂 But now I can tell her that her electronics just suck and mercury has nothing to do with it

[@tluets]

Neil's eyes in redtrograde

[@anthonymcbride855]

Ha👏👏

[@virginiat7092]

I really like Neil de Grasse. I think that since this video is about the ancient Greek geocentric theory, he could have included the first known heliocentric model from Aristarchus of Samos and maybe the description of the planets from Plato's Phaedo, which is quite similar to what we now know, but written 2500 years ago. Thank you for reading my comment ❤️

[@sachinfulsunge9977]

I love how neil interprets and defines these make it so easy for understanding. I would personally like if he explained me uncertainty principle

[@chaitanyapk8686]

Me: Listens to How Neil explains the retrograde phenomena and debunks how it has affected in my life and agree to everything he explains. Also Me: Checks out my horoscope right after this video to see if I can survive the Coronavirus Pandemic

[@benl8962]

But why do you do that? I'm really interested to hear your answer. You know it's fake but still check it, i find that very fascinating

[@swarnimanand5179]

@@benl8962 imo he is just scared

[@michgingras]

definitely not

[@caonabo2]

Thank you! Now I know what to tell my wyfe when she's yelling and gossiping me: Mamacita, you're in a retrograde state today, please get back to me when your orbit get prograde again!😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@VentDeux]

She gone file for divorce you dont stop being corny.

[@positivemanda]

I love your use of language and analogies.

[@donotuse4205]

But, what he didn't say with the train analogy is that you do FEEL kind of STRANGE when it looks like the train is going backwards, like a nanosecond confusion.

[@MrLovolovo]

the pictures behind tyson not being perfectly parallel is driving me nuts...

[@TheAngiepangie424]

Haha, I noticed that too! It’s due to the rotation of the Earth. 😁

[@adityashukla9197]

That "paper fortune thingy" is called "Tippi-tippi-top" in India 😂

[@spsrini]

Awesome..you both make it so interesting.

[@peerlessportraits]

Look at the backgrounds behind these two. It's perfect for how they present themselves on the show. Neil's monochromatic background suggests a life driven by study, while Chuck's vibrant background suggests improvisational methods. These two compliment each other so equally.

[@mk1st]

I like Neil's retro "hoop" phone on the shelf behind him. A cheesy 70 sci-fi movie prop.

[@BrandonWilliams-ez1ng]

Those coast Salish paintings are sweet!! Swan and salmon

[@Jdowling357]

I used to look up at Venus(in the infancy of my cosmic interest) doing its crazy retro disco in the sky and thought“yeah that has to be a ufo” . Immediate did some research and came across the retrograde phenomena . Excellent train analogy!

[@jdglad1569]

I saw some crazy girl posting on FB that she cried all week, smashed a glass framed photo and a mirror. and threw a laptop out a second story window... Because Mercury is in retrograde... Virgos 🤣 am I right?

[@ankurkumar2648]

Great explaination! love Neil!

[@setharora521]

Great closing statement 👏

[@cyrielwollring4622]

Neil de Grasse Tyson is a Libra, Scales, that´s why his answers are balanced. ;-)

[@aungthuhein007]

Exactly! And Chuck is a sagitarius. That's why they get along with each other so well

[@GGora]

I'll analyse his chart next. Done Feynman already.

[@carultch]

Libra is the only Zodiac constellation that doesn't live up to the root word behind the term zodiac that means animal. All the rest are either animals, humans (Aquarius & Gemini), or human/animal hybrid mythological figures (Sagittarius).

[@johnzimmerman5892]

For the record, he thinks astrology is fluff.

[@raseenapa7916]

Me watching this from india in early morning....!! (മലയാളികൾ അടി like)

[@krishnateja0220]

Atleast one guy from India 🇮🇳

[@kaustubhdeshpande8722]

My fav podcast!!

[@RythmGkwd]

These videos make my day as bright as Chuck's pearly whites 😇

[@edwinrobert7192]

Smoke DaGrasse Tyson

[@photovi]

Can’t imagine a world without star talk 💭🤍🖤

[@ABetterWeapon]

Love astronomy, hate astrology. Love Neil, like Chuck. Luck comes to those who are prepared. That is correct.

[@SwtHoni357]

I could listen to him lecture all day. I gotta say, after viewing this episode and seeing that donut phone on the table in the back, I fell into a deep "crush" with you sir! :)

[@Astraeus..]

Neil, my guy, I always enjoy the explanations you give but sometimes the analogy should be where you start for the sake of people having the right picture in mind from the start. The train was a pretty decent analogy, but for me personally trying to explain this to people (which I've maybe done all of about 3 times in my entire life) I'll go with vehicles on a multi-lane highway. Whenever the vehicle you are in overtakes a vehicle going the same direction, that vehicle "appears" to be traveling backwards.

[@IxodesPersulcatus]

Fun fact: on Mercury you would be able to see the Sun in retrograde.

[@carultch]

That's because Mercury has a special kind of resonance with the sun, between its spin rate and its orbit rate. If an otherwise-identical planet were in Mercury's place that spun as fast as Earth or Mars, that wouldn't happen. Whether a planet could do that in Mercury's place is another issue entirely, because it is the tidal forces of the sun and Mercury's greater orbital eccentricity that make this happen. At one point, we thought Mercury was tidally locked to the sun. It was a reasonable hypothesis, because that's how most moons work with their host planet. It turns out, that it was only our luck of when we had the best chance to see Mercury that it appeared to always make the same face to the sun. Radar measurements showed the actual state of affairs is a 3:2 spin-orbit resonance.

[@janicepedroli7403]

Thanks for the scientific explanation of that.

[@KBWeeds]

Just discovered this channel. Mind is blown & heart is full! Thank you Neil & thank you Chuck for awesome talk!

[@ryanallen7511]

mercury is orbiting further from the sun slowly over time

[@BarcaFan-fg4cw]

So this is more like "Rippin' off astrology"

[@AGEOFAQUARIUSKHA]

You know how it is with the logical mfs lol

[@chardey8807]

Enjoyed that very much. Concise!

[@relzyn5545]

I've only recently started watching Star Talk and I love it. Thanks for working to make America smart again! #SimpForScience

[@unnamedchannel1237]

A lot of work required ..... flat earthers

[@BlessinVarkey]

Chuck, the difference is that he was ‘unimpeachably’ smart.

[@markstewart8171]

Trump is too.

[@jasonwilcher4670]

@@markstewart8171 Woah, easy there buddy. Don't you know you aren't allowed to express conservative opinions online?

[@synt4x3rror13]

I've never been this early 😱

[@juanitagartley937]

The trains was what I immediately thought of. Great point of reference.

[@damienlewis7882]

Thank you for teaching me everything public school never did Neil.

[@Zephyr077_]

"For EVERYONE over 80..." LOL

[@TalenGryphon]

Hah! My students *still* do that. Its a schoolchild's recurring meme

[@furiousgeorge024]

Fun exercise: Watch this again and replace astrology with religion.

[@ryanx9372]

/nod

[@prototype8137]

Then replace that with athiesm. To not believe in a higher power is very narrow minded and short sighted.

[@ryanx9372]

@@prototype8137 dude...your putting your toes in some tidal waters, keep safe ;)

[@ejmtv3]

@Samael means his using big words.

[@furiousgeorge024]

@@prototype8137 Yeah, so this video was about how applying the scientific method to develop a better understanding of our surroundings through science and tangible proof has challenged long-standing misconceptions. Not knowing why things happen is uncomfortable, so we've historically made false associations from limited observations to compensate...was their point. What's your point about atheism, exactly? Criticizing others for not sharing your "belief" without offering any evidence shows you clearly missed the concept. Next time try to comprehend before you condemn, buddy.

[@TravisGilbert]

This popped up in my feed as I finished my videos about copernicus

[@vjr5261]

Yay!! A real explanation of retrograde. Thank you

[@carultch]

I always see Mars used as an example of apparent retrograde motion, and I thought that was something that only the outer planets do.

[@mrs.morris5506]

Now. I can articulate why astrology is nonsense.

[@brianharris2098]

Knowledge is power baby

[@NicleT]

Words are so important and forges civilization’s way of thinking, that it is important to keep room for the unknown (yet).

[@warboss1117]

I love this channel science is becoming my only getaway out of our insane reality that doesn't make sense most days but it's not supposed to apparently!

[@christinawooten5137]

Sooooo many delicious points here. Well said, gentlemen.

[@zxipex123]

I always feel smarter after listening to Neil 😍 I am a total fangirl 😁