Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Wind

Where does wind come from? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice venture into the phenomena of wind and how it works.
What causes wind? Is it caused by trees waving their branches? We explore air pressure, Earth’s rotation, and the heating of Earth’s surface. What does a low-pressure system even mean? We’ll take you from a nightclub for clouds out to the doldrums. How do areas with no wind come to be? Does The Martian have it right that there are wind storms on Mars? All that, plus we discuss what the weather is like on other planets!
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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
2:44 - Pressure Adjustment
4:50 - Hurricanes
6:13 - The Doldrums
8:16 - Dust Storms on Mars
10:10 - Martian Atmosphere
10:40 - Neil deGrasse Tyson Ruins The Martian
12:52 - Winds of Venus
13:38 - Closing Notes

[@wphh7272]

Chuck is the perfect compliment to Neil’s series. He is very educated and well spoken while being able to inject quickly and pertinently executed bits of humor into the presentation. Perfect counterpart to Neil! I am addicted to this series!!!

[@KristoffTitan]

Every once in a while he explains something that you know all the answers for, and at that point its just pure joy. Like you passed a test with full marks.

[@apotheosis27]

Haha same here!

[@bomass100]

Never happened lol

[@stanhogenelst2555]

@@bomass100 if you keep on learning at your own pace then eventually it's going to happen. Keep on learning and happy holidays!

[@SH7SH7SH7]

Show off 😏

[@dillcifer]

Reminds me of sitting in a basic aviation weather college class, way too long ago. During a review at the end of the term, no one could remember that uneven heating on the earth’s surface is the only answer for the cause of the weather. I’m more embarrassed for my school than I am proud of me - as I was the only one in the room that knew the answer to a multiple-choice question, including the retired Air Force pilot that was teaching the course.😂😂😂

[@stephanienirenberg7426]

Was just listening to you men and my day has just been made because of you again. Thank you from my entire heart and soul.

[@tedrosvaluescare]

You look chicken

[@whatabouttheearth]

🙄 "chicken"? 😂

[@SoorajSuseelan10001]

@@whatabouttheearth she is a chick tho 🤭

[@whatabouttheearth]

@@SoorajSuseelan10001 Y'all are a great case study of how a thumb nail picture can reveal psychological neoteny.

[@KickflipJesus]

@@whatabouttheearth sus

[@pabeader1941]

Ogden Nash was a poet. His reasons are fun and thought provoking. "I think that I shall never see, a billboard as lovely as a tree." - Ogden Nash

[@whoknows7877]

Chuck is awesome, dude is hilarious and does an excellent job on the show. What a good year for science! 🤓.

[@davideric7519]

Great combo between the 2 They go together as good as a jab and a right cross

[@MrSkinkarde]

He is annoying wannabe comedian slowing down the show

[@whoknows7877]

@@MrSkinkarde :(

[@80PercentAshamedOfU]

@@MrSkinkarde My thoughts exactly. Sometimes it feels like he’s listening only for points to insert a corny joke. And breaks the pace of the topic.

[@ngnatural]

@@80PercentAshamedOfU try being comic relief for science topics. it's not easy.

[@Squieonat]

"Let's talk about wind." ...seven minutes later... "Cannibal sailors."

[@tach5884]

Welcome to the Holocene.

[@Goodtimes317]

No wind on Venus! I was trying to explain wind to my son. You guys nailed it. Thanks for the laughs.

[@koen_rozendaal]

Wonderful how you guys turn intriguing science into great humor, it's a joy to watch, it never gets boring. 😁👍

[@JoseCruzRangel]

Our sun and mountains sometimes provide hikers a treat, a beautiful morning upward wind.

[@pushing2throttles]

In flight school pilots are taught that all weather phenomena are caused by the unequal heating of the earth. Pressure gradients are caused by this which in effect causes wind.

[@davideric7519]

This exactly the science I love . The science of everyday phenomenons

[@PlagueDoctorscp049]

I love it when dr Tyson explains stuff he explains things so well.

[@105051lbm]

It feels good to just smile as these two guys talk.

[@jonminnella2966]

I like Neil in this setting hes being himself hes laid back and down-to-earth not following a script

[@nickdixon3536]

Gentlemen, thank you for this... long-winded exaplainer. Happy New Years when it comes!!

[@Life_42]

You two are awesome! May the Universe keep blessing y'all! Love from Miami-Dade!

[@antoniojones6256]

This was a particularly entertaining (read "hilarious") episode, and all organically generated not scripted; with both topical and sometimes wildly tangential information and humor, as usual. Please keep doing these podcasts!

[@matilda9906]

This is a million dollar idea to stick these two together.

[@StarTalk]

Please share your best wind-related joke here:

[@Singe0255]

Missed opportunity to sum it all up as a 'long-winded explanation'.

[@yourguard4]

and again, Neil blows our mind

[@srutikantapanda1251]

The first part

[@steventurner6902]

You guys are so fabulous!!! Thank you for brightening my day :)

[@pedropais9566]

I love hearing you guys! Thank you a lot!

[@there_can_only_be_one__unicorn]

I can't express my gratitude and appreciation for the time and effort you invest in your productions they are truly very much appreciated -thank you!

[@rk99688]

I just frigging love this. Forget the universe that is another "universe" of beautiful phenomenon our own Earth has so much beautiful stuff that it feels like never ending awesomeness.

[@Veebikelife]

All my friends know I love you and anything about astrophysics ❤️ today is my birthday and I received one of your books ( astrophysics for people in a hurry!) and a telescope! Best gift ever!!! 🙂 I hope one day I can meet you and have you sign it! Sending love to my favorite astrophysicist! ❤️❤️❤️

[@stephanienirenberg7426]

Happy Birthday!

[@AuxFiles]

That was a really good read

[@AuxFiles]

Happy birthday 🎉

[@moonshoes11]

Happy birthday! 🧁

[@joshuab1728]

Happy Birthday

[@ArchiboldAcquah]

Never bored and always learning something new. Thank you!

[@williampaoli9057]

This is my type of learning. Gotta get some more of your books Neil! All I have is astrophysics for people in a hurry and it was amazing!!!!

[@AlfaMist-mf6rj]

Thanks for including humor within this educational angle that made this time choice relatable ❤

[@maryb4762]

thank you for making this show, is part of home life school, this is really great, much appreciation for you all and this technology, everything

[@sapelesteve]

Interesting video Neil & Chuck and at least the discussion wasn't that long winded! 👍👍😂😂

[@PMW3]

I'm not trying to make fun of him, but I love moments like 4:16 when Chuck figures out what Neil is telling him and he figures out how the mechanics work

[@ra2186]

Uhh....OHHHHHHH!!!

[@YAMAHA_FAN.]

It's my uncle best line hahaha

[@aftonwolivar7950]

Thanks for the great content and always bringing a laugh along.

[@gaius_enceladus]

This channel is *awesome* - the humour is great! Subbed!

[@TruckDrivinGamer]

The was a great sequence about a ship stuck in the doldrums in the movie Master and Commander: Far Side of the World. They were in the South Pacific. Great movie, check it out!

[@silvershadow013]

Depending on height in the atmosphere, you could have wind going in different directions and speeds. Watch the clouds...sometimes you'll see them going in different dirctions at different heights.

[@jag731]

"Shear" .. one of my fave weather phenoms to witness.

[@ianmangham4570]

@@jag731 WINDSHEAR WINDSHEAR. PULL UP. PULL UP 💀

[@hey.goldfish]

Chuck Nice - the only person on Earth that can make a hurricane laughable! 😂🌀

[@Rellesofsaturn]

You guys just made my night .,thanks From lake Elsinore CaLi.

[@Jrod_2112]

Keep em coming 👏🏼✊🏽

[@dunderwood4444]

The Evolution of Lord Nice with the expert tutelage of Dr. Tyson. Outstanding episode Sir's Brooklyn NY loves StarTalk #Dr.Tyson #LordNice

[@tanbui7869]

I love every episode!

[@johncarter5079]

That is fascinating I had the partial answer with the hearth rotation so Noice 👍

[@vernonspady555]

Wow, I now know where these names came from! Mind blown. Thanks!

[@hihowareyou0000]

👊😉💯❤ Looking Good! Thanks for your knowledge. Stay safe and well everybody.

[@ericdamexican]

We had over 90 mph sustained winds in Kansas a coupe of weeks ago, it got quite scary. A short storm and tons of mostly clear sky crazy damaging wind!! Peaked at 98 mph here where I live.

[@LukeSumIpsePatremTe]

We need part 2 on windshear and downburst.

[@blessedveteran]

I wanted to let you guys know I watch you guys while I'm in bed every night. Thank you, again, for making my evening a great one❤

[@zachary442]

Just subbed, and this Chuck nice guy has some of the best analogies I could ever imagine! Great mix of entertainment and information.

[@davideric7519]

Chuck just gets funnier all the time !! Hilarious when he imitated a bunch of clouds ⛅️ discussing getting into the eye 👁 club He did this on the spot

[@a__wills]

Trippy, my mind is blown. I've always wondered this!

[@carsmax]

Neil & Chuck that was a great one !!!!!

[@joeyz44]

You guys have too much fun I love it 😀

[@simateix6262]

Love you guys keep it up 🌌💙

[@damslifevlog5031]

No words. Just THANK YOU.

[@XSaintsXPsychoMantis]

The whistle at :58 lmmfao. It took me tf out.... Nevertheless, great content. Love you guys!!

[@alexisscarbrough4083]

Chuck your eyes shine & gratitude & appreciation radiates from you as Neil blam-blam-blams you with new information. See you at the Eye!

[@bassmechanic5467]

Mr Tyson, When we speak of Kardashef scale and becoming a level 1 civilization in the next 100-1000 years... How do we make the world understand, or lead it to see that if unification isn't achieved we'll Never reach that beautiful blissful time. Your so smart I feel like your key in possibly getting That ball rolling. I'd love to help! 😊

[@markgigiel2722]

I learned about the doldrums today. Not my mental ones, but the complete absence of wind.

[@RyanFlyinHigh]

Convection and Cloud Formation: The uneven heating of the Earth's surface does indeed cause convection, leading to the rising of warmer air. This air ascends until it reaches a level where its temperature matches the surrounding air, potentially leading to cloud formation. Pressure Variation and Wind: The key factor in wind formation is the difference in pressure variation. Wind flows from areas of higher pressure to lower pressure, and the strength of the wind is influenced by the pressure gradient (the change in millibars or isobars). Movement of Air: As mentioned above, wind is the movement of air from high-pressure to low-pressure areas. Coriolis Effect: The rotation of the Earth influences wind direction, causing it to turn right in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern hemisphere. With that said, the earth is also a point of friction for wind and it causes wind to slow down, which is why when you're at the top of a tower the wind is far greater than on the surface Topography and Wind Shifts: Topography can significantly affect wind patterns, mostly in a vertical manner. When wind encounters obstacles like mountains, it is forced upward, and depending on the stability of the air and wind strength, this can lead to neat airflow over the obstacle or cause turbulence through eddies. Even my response is slightly simplistic but I think it helps elaborate on what you said, and also brings some clarity

[@punkypinko2965]

Come on, Neil. Show Chuck a little more respect. Listen. You're always jumping in on people :) Chuck was correct. One can often feel the wind pick up and THEN see tree limbs start moving faster and faster. Wind blows from a certain direction, Neil, so yes one can be up wind from the trees and feel the wind before it reaches the trees. Good job, Chuck. I got your back.

[@renatoigmed]

¿Me gusta? wat? как? Я не понимал Como? mögen? Ich habe es nicht verstanden

[@ashok.nurture]

He explains "don't care about your sequence", which means those two can be independent events and not necessarily proving anything....but I agree, Chuck's intuition should take precedence here

[@justinfincher2385]

Chuck has gotten so much funnier. In the beginning it felt like he was trying too hard. But now he’s hilarious. His punchlines hit so much more naturally

[@mosaicmonk4380]

these guys together are gold

[@taliachetty5417]

Love this two 😂❤️

[@martinewski]

You two are AWESOME.

[@81DavidSeungLee]

Good video

[@fc-qr1cy]

i enjoy the glossy eye conversations between Chuck and Neil.

[@unrealengine5-storm713]

Hot/cold ..high/low pressure. The density differences move the molecules around. *watches* 😶

[@emmanuelboakye1124]

👍👍

[@emmanuelboakye1124]

Intresting👍👍

[@DYNABIKE1]

If just once there was a serious conversation all the way through with good info I'd be amazed beyond the stars.

[@utetopia1620]

Also, the greater the difference in air pressure between the areas, the stronger the wind. Where I live, If I have a warm to hot, very still day, I know that the next day or so will see some strong winds.... as the still air where i live rises as it heats up..

[@markbathe5649]

To respond to one of your questions about not understanding. The upward heat pulls in cold air from underneath which causes wind from the sides

[@munchkin0.o]

This is so nice

[@franksmalls218]

I really like when neil laughs.it so relaxing

[@whatabouttheearth]

"🎶I was spending my time in the doldrums I was caught in a cauldron of hate I felt persecuted and paralysed I thought that everything else would just wait While you are wasting your time on your enemies Engulfed in a fever of spite Beyond your tunnel vision, reality fades Like shadows into the night🎶"

[@lingcod91]

Who is the author ?

[@whatabouttheearth]

@@lingcod91 Pink Floyd, 'Lost for Words'

[@msansari2844]

Love your work. 1 question that popped in my mind. If most of the elements in the periodic table are supposed to be created during the high pressure star bursts, does that mean the black holes because of their immense pressure be creating new elements that we aren't even aware of ???

[@avaboaudione]

If neutron stars are any indication, black holes are probably just one big atom lol

[@Masterra-Matrix]

We just don´t know, what happens inside a black hole. But if we use what we know, the answer is nope. The pressure would be too high to create new kinds of atoms, but we just can´t prove it.

[@Sinnbad21]

Well Neutron stars produce less pressure than black holes. They squeeze atoms so hard that Protons and Electrons merge creating Neutrons. This means that the the core of a neutron star is a giant ball of Neutrons. So in black hole you certainly wouldn’t have fully formed atoms. Especially larger unstable ones that break apart by being hit by traveling neutrons

[@joekenorer]

Black holes, so far as I understand, just compress everything into light and eject the rest as uncompressible heat. Since light has no mass it just keeps collecting it.

[@skylark8828]

The heavier elements eg. uranium are supposed to come from neutron star collisions with other types of star which bring in more raw material to participate in nuclear fusion reactions. Iron is the heaviest element to be made in the core of a red-giant star before it goes supernova as the energy needed to go one higher isn't attainable (not enough pressure/heat).

[@shoncurtis767]

Barbara Marciniak; Pleadians, said the face on the Mars was a shrine designed by a fellow pilot. It was made for the person who lost his life in a battle. The argument was very compelling. NASA distorts photos commonly. in the words of Abraham Hicks, there is NEVER a crowd on the leading edge of knowledge.

[@shoncurtis767]

Damn, good point G!

[@kingkinslow]

Damn Neil explained to me everything within 3 minutes. Changing air pressure. I personally never looked into such a topic but always been curious how wind is created. Now I'll finish the video just incase I have something wrong after the simple explanation.

[@rgmartinez]

interesting and funny as always!

[@icebeardoesnttalkmuch8919]

i actually thought this when i watched the movie but again they did the space jump over a probe thing so i guessthe storm fades away in comparison to the jump.

[@christjesus5746]

Hello is there any way I can get in touch with you , please?

[@xxmomeatloafxx5365]

So could the Bermuda triangle be infamous for doldrums since ships and planes would get lost over the ocean since there wouldn't be enough "wind speed" to keep it flying or sailing?

[@MeelaudBoozary]

Thanks!

[@whatabouttheearth]

The "Doldrums" is a colloquial term for the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) of equatorial low pressure, between the north and south trade winds, which are between the horse latitudes of subtropical high pressure. Then prevailing westerlies, subpolar low pressure, polar easterlies and high pressure. High pressure (N pole) Polar easterlies Subpolar low pressure Prevailing westerlies Subtropical high pressure (horse latitudes) -------------♋ NE trade winds ------------ Equatorial low pressure (ITCZ)(Doldrums) ------------ SE trade winds -----------♑ Subtropical high pressure (horse latitudes) Prevailing westerlies Subpolar low pressure Polar easterlies High pressure (S pole)

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Gotcha. So the Doldrums.

[@350speedfreak]

Horse latitudes. Where you threw them overboard. Or maybe ate them 🤔

[@whatabouttheearth]

@@350speedfreak I think it has more to do with the power of the wind because they are high pressure areas. So like how doldrums in a colloquial sense means stagnant, Horse may mean big wind gusts

[@eliasgallegos3058]

I love this!

[@gmenassa5647]

Love your show guys! Here’s my question: is it theoretically possible that humans from the future send us a wormhole for us to travel through and reach a new habitable planet (kinda like what they did in Interstellar) ??

[@altosack]

No.

[@gmenassa5647]

@@altosack are you an expert by any chance?

[@altosack]

@@gmenassa5647 - No, but think about it: if (effective) time travel from the future were possible, there would be some evidence of it, or, for some reason, it may be restricted, and we’ll never experience it (some kind of prime directive). The fact that they didn’t change the worst parts of history suggests either “they” can’t or won’t.

[@ryanbaker7404]

My understanding is that current knowledge of physics says no due to entropy. To go back in time would require knowing what the prior state and probability distribution of every particle was through all the various “branches” of the many worlds theory.

[@alejandrobernal9200]

@@altosack ah yes Stephen Hawking talked about that. RIP

[@carlosdavila9551]

Everyone want to be Chuck cause Chuck get to ask Tyson question n make him laugh n learn at the same time that's a good job

[@Hilariumosis]

Expected a lot to blow over my head but this is Startalk where if you can't get it you really are an air head :P

[@wolfeddie]

10 seconds and i already hit the like button :-D

[@Tony-bz8mf]

"you look like you are in the doldrums". I wondered what the doldrums were! Common to hear that in the UK.

[@margaretbloomer9001]

Love these guys. They mansplain very well.

[@itamararce7347]

Explain*

[@scottjordan7431]

The words on the preview of this had me thinking that this was going to be a very different topic.

[@jeromepaul1300]

I love phymedy!

[@MyWatchTherapy]

I am amazed that not once in all these videos has Chuck said Neil was smart. I think I would be saying that every other minute.

[@Eons000]

Water remains wet.

[@diysimguy]

You guys are the best! lol. Awesome.

[@nerdative]

Respect for Neil, Love for Chuck 😍

[@andrewm8429]

I was just thinking about this the other day o_o

[@dancor8380]

How does topography affect wind?

[@shakesrear7850]

Does the wind have anything to do with our travelling through the galaxy? If not then how are we insulated by just gas? And how would you calculate all that? Are windmills really the best way to harness this? What are the ages of wind?

[@kanaramc5495]

Sir which object in this universe attract you the most? 🤔

[@brockfrreminz6659]

This episode is hilarious! Chuck!!!!

[@KateSuhrgirlPlays]

Hey Neil I have a what if question for you. If both Venus and Mars could maintain a similar livable existence as Earth does, what would that do to our solar system? Like if Goldie locks zone was starting from Venus' orbit and ended just after Mars' orbit.

[@ericreid8111]

It could lead to basically earth being the middle lush planet, Venus being the desert and tropical planet at the poles, and mars being the cold planet with a cool equator and frozen higher latitudes. Mars doesn't have enough mass to hold an atmosphere that's very dense. Additionally it doesn't have a magnetic field so it will still end up like it is now.