Stars Ask Neil Their Deep Questions... Again!

How certain are we about aliens? Neil deGrasse Tyson and cohosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly answer science questions from celebrities like Kevin Hart, Jack White, Nikki Glaser, and more!
Comedian Kevin Hart asks if space can take the wrinkles out of a pair of wrinkly pants. We discuss ways you would iron clothes while still wearing them in zero gravity and whether Kevin would have a space valet. Musician Tommy James asks a question about his morning coffee and time travel.
Comedian Nikki Glaser asks about aliens and how sure we are that they exist. We break down the composition of the universe, how common the ingredients for life are, and silicon-based life. How much of space has SETI even looked at? Plus, we explore if love is real. Do other species experience love? Could aliens experience love?
Musician Jack White asks about how rare gold is in the universe and on the planet we live on. Learn about how gravity sorts elements and how much gold can be found in asteroids. Cam Johnson, of the Brooklyn Nets, asks if we can feel the different speeds of Earth’s rotation at different longitudes. Is there one part of the Earth that isn’t rotating?
Thanks to our Patrons Larry Houghton, Marc-ids Foppen, Rob Love, Dominic Hemken, Brian Begnoche, josh lemasters, Mike Yin, Petchu Daniel, Jalal Dallo, and Jesse De La Rosa for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus
Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: amzn.to/3PL0NFn
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
00:00 - Introduction: Celebrity Questions
1:20 - Kevin Hart’s Space Pants
6:25 - Tommy James and The Shondells
10:15 - StarTalk Plus
11:00 - Nikki Glaser: Are There Aliens?
12:38 - Composition of the Universe
17:34 - How Much of Space Have We Looked for Aliens?
19:17 - Is Love Real?
25:50 - StarTalk Patreon
27:35 - Jack White’s Golden Question
30:45 - What Makes Something Rare?
34:18 - Sorting the Elements
38:38 - Cam Johnson & The Rotation of the Earth

[@StarTalk]

Who had the best question?

[@tomking2613]

IDK!! i just started!

[@71wiked]

Not Kevin Hart lol

[@71wiked]

Im hoping Terrence Howard has a Question for him lol

[@edwardwilliams5460]

Could you guys explore the nebula NGC 3576?! Statue of liberty nebula :)

[@mostafacarl7834]

If the universe doesn't have border So how we could escape (break) form it. ????

[@frankcoverjr.-jz3ne]

Chuck not doing a goldfish joke was just him being koi!😂

[@solertree8653]

OOOOOOOOOOO! Nice XD

[@kareemarchuleta1994]

😂😂

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

That's 2/3 of a pun: P-U! 😜

[@louisrobitaille5810]

Tadum tss 🤓.

[@blessedveteran]

😂😮😂

[@thekraken4265]

chuck is hilarious "you may want to look up the definition of metaphysical" 😂😂

[@Nia-zq5jl]

Yeah, I was wondering did Kevin talk about a “metal physical” question according to him? But the question didn’t have much to do with metals it seems

[@guy3557]

​@@Nia-zq5jl on the off-chance this isn't sarcasm, he said "metaphysical" which basically means "supernatural", but the question was 100% physical and grounded in reality.

[@Nia-zq5jl]

@@guy3557 Lol no, you seem to be misunderstanding, I know what metaphysical means as much as anyone, and while it can at times involve the “supernatural”, it’s not only that. My point is that the way Kevin posed the question was so distant from a metaphysical question to the degree that I was considering that he in some way *must* *fundamentally* misinterpreted the concept to be more concretely about “physics” or maybe in his mind “metal-physics” the way he posed it. Sort of the only misinterpretation about “metaphysics” that makes sense considering the way he spoke.

[@davidfreeman4340]

“There’s the carcass of a small child” Freaking dead 😂😂😂

[@da1FranCh1zE]

I read this before I got to that part it made it that much funnier😂

[@danielludlow8960]

Star Talk is my go to when I want some sanity in this world

[@MaxHohenstaufen]

Yeah, except for those mind breaking subjects like "big numbers" or time perspective at the speed of light, which almost makes me crazy trying to grasp the concepts.

[@yawoelevn]

Chuck’s face when Kevin was asking the question is just too funny 😂😂😂😂😂

[@maroonburgundy5720]

Chuck is funny and more intelligent than he seems or wants you to believe to cover his jokes. I made a harsh comment against him in the past, I take it back.

[@armaniisaac3963]

You’ve earned my respect 🫡 Acknowledging a human error and correcting it is by far the best news I’ve heard today. We ALL need to be more like you!!

[@officialwildcardadventures]

You don't orbit around the likes of Neil deGrasse Tyson without holding intellectual ability and curiousity which in and of itself will grow just by proximity.

[@officialwildcardadventures]

Furthermore, Chuck is there to make the rest of us not feel so bad/dumb for not knowing all of the answers. He handles humility with humor. It's beautiful and opens doors for people to be enthusiastic about learning.

[@Nnamato]

And remember it takes brains to be funny

[@jamesrucker7048]

He's a professional comedian

[@jeffk86]

Chuck has come such a long way, love seeing him give great replies and ask great questions. That cake analogy was beautiful

[@RocktheCpop]

Ya I remember when he first started he had this blank "God dang Neil" look that would come over his face when every presumption he had about science and stuff was just wrong af. Not there so much anymore, really did his homework and paid attention 😅

[@PavlozKapeliz]

It's inevitable for intelligent people when they're close to "knowledge tanks"...

[@MaxHohenstaufen]

@@RocktheCpop Man, even I feel more enlightened about the universe since I watched the cosmos documentary with Neil' presentation, 10 years ago (which got me into this astrophysics thing ever since). There's so much I learned with star talk, even though I don't understand the math of it, but just the concepts are mind blowing. If I were to sit and talk to Neil like Chuck does, I'd likely to learn a few things too.

[@EternityMinusYesterday]

Chuck is funny, but lately I keep finding that he distracts a lot from the science part of the show with so many interruptions and jokes. This is certainly not a dig at him, I find him hilarious and like his quick wit. Just saying perhaps a better balance and prioritization of the science part. That's just how I feel, others may disagree.

[@marsrideroneofficial]

Problem is, the ingredients in the store are separated by containers, in nature has only distance where water can bridge those ingredients..

[@artkid101.]

StarTalk has become my Netflix and chill❤

[@WaltYao]

Lol if you’re really Netflix and chilling to this…

[@idiocracyBonanza]

Star Talk is the most underrated science edutaction in the universe. It's funny engaging interesting and the best of all want you know more.

[@mikeottersole]

It's good to be edutactded.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

The "element of surprise" is next to the "states of confusion and doubt"!

[@Kj-fd3qn]

37°14'06"N 115°48'40"W ¿??¿

[@connycontainer9459]

Anything with celeb in front is usually a dumbed down version. Thank Chuck for saving this one.

[@worldofrealmen8662]

You did it Chuck..." them there" hilarious!

[@tyrone4u559]

I like how Neil always is courteous enough to laugh at Chuck's jokes, regardless of how corny they are.

[@ajwalker4416]

Some of Chuck's jokes are funny because they are so corny 🤣🤣

[@markl3893]

Because most of Neil's jokes are cornier and Neil is easily entertained.

[@mjimenez4667]

If i had to guess I'd guess that all scientists laugh at corny jokes lol

[@normanwolfe7639]

He sounds like he has an infatuated crush actually.

[@lekeAchgeketum]

By mass, H2O is more than half oxygen. Lord Chuck Nice, you got it right. I'm so proud. Dr. Neil Degrasse-Tyson, the question's ambiguity had multiple correct answers. Your content is, still, incredible, because here I am, watching and commenting. Give credit back to Lord Chuck Nice, who got it right! And thanks for another great episode.

[@markthompson2874]

Came here just to say that.

[@dariuslegacy3406]

Chuck was definitely in his element haha. (I'll see myself out)

[@myaccount__7269]

Chuck is metaphysical

[@TonyTsobanis]

In Australia we have had the fantastic Dr Karl Kruszelnicki answering similar questions for decades. Would love to see him on the show

[@jckdnls9292]

Petition signed 😊

[@TheLadymiss22]

Crystal Blue Persuasion was the theme of our senior prom in ‘71.

[@MrBitterman75]

Congrats on 3 million subs, well deserved!❤

[@mintsprig7]

All of the episodes are awesome but this one was really awesome‼️

[@robertlanders5723]

I’m a child of the sixties… I listened to Tommy more times than there are stars in the sky. Thanks Tommy !

[@MrRabbiTricky]

Got to know them by Tiffany (covered "Think we alone now"), and yeah, by now i listened more times to them then there are stars in the sky as well

[@TheOldHippiebilly]

I always LOVED Crystal Blue Persuasion!

[@MaxHohenstaufen]

That's mathematically impossible, but as a metaphor it's a powerful display of passion.

[@Ajaykrishna97_]

You said that under the wrong video my friend 😂

[@robertlanders5723]

@@Ajaykrishna97_ How so ?

[@neverfooled1862]

I love listening every single one on this channel very good and very informative thank y'all so much for your time definitely enjoyed your educational content

[@SchemingDeviously]

neil seems like such a chill dude

[@4strokes]

“Coffee is for closers.” Cool. Great movie.

[@LupeCoded]

19:30 is the most poetic and inspiring quote about Love I've ever heard. Wow ❤❤❤

[@BeRkStAh]

Eyyy, this was a good podcast, and having everyone in-house. 👍

[@pharaoh2537]

I'm having a metaphysical enjoyment with this episode... Chuck was in rare form...😂😂😂😂

[@megcarter785]

"You have magnetism" 😂❤

[@athanatic]

(I liked the Blazing Saddles Joke, Gary!) I love that Neil admitted that his answer would be "more academic sounding!" This reminds me of this Douglas Adams Quote from "So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish": --- "I'm afraid I can't comment on the name Rain God at this present time, and we are calling him an example of a Spontaneous Para-Casual Meteorological Phenomenon." "Can you tell us what that means?" "I'm not altogether sure. Let's be straight here. If we find something we can't understand we like to call it something you can't understand, or indeed pronounce. I mean if we just let you go around calling him a Rain God, then that suggests that you know something we don't, and I'm afraid we couldn't have that. No, first we have to call it something which says it's ours, not yours, then we set about finding some way of proving it's not what you said it is, but something we say it is. And if it turns out that you're right, you'll still be wrong, because we will simply call him a... er, 'Supernormal' -- not paranormal or supernatural because you think you know what those mean no, no, a 'Supernormal Incremental Precipitation Inducer'. We'll probably want to shove a 'Quasi' in there somewhere to protect ourselves. Rain God! Huh, never heard such nonsense in my life!"

[@FromRootsToRadicals]

Dad joke for you all. I make them daily for my daughter. Lol “why do aliens never visit earth?” - “Because earth is rated a one star planet..” 😊

[@shy-townnative3012]

Glad I found this channel!!

[@devboss3970]

Chuck actually knows so much stuff at this point

[@VatrenJurin]

Neil, this episode was absolutely fantastic! Your discussion brought to mind a remarkable conversation I had many years ago while returning from Chile. Seated next to me was a gentleman responsible for managing telescopes in both Chile and Hawaii during the early 2000s (his name escapes me now). We delved into topics ranging from the concentration of elements to compound formations in the universe. As an agronomist specializing in plant nutrition, particularly in micronutrients (B, Cu, Co, Ni, Fe, Mo, Zn, Si), I had just concluded some research on the positive impacts of these nutrients on fruit trees, enhancing quality, yield, and stress mitigation. Our nine-hour conversation spanned the universe's elemental makeup and the evolutionary opportunities it has provided for plants. Your comments in this episode echoed that extraordinary dialogue and reminded me of my unique encounter with the only astrophysicist I’ve ever met. Thanks for rekindling those memories and insights!

[@ekisauruslux6795]

top 5 shows on youtube

[@Originalacey1]

This was a good video thanks for this 😅

[@michellemarie3806]

I love this! Thank you guys!

[@judiarevalo8580]

On the subject of animals and love: There's footage of cats taking care of their companion as they just gave birth. Footage of otherwise slow swans suddenly becoming more active when their partner is brought back to the enclosure or lake. So, if we get excited when we see the person we "love" and take care of them... By that fact, animals could be assumed to feel love as well

[@taniawilliams3427]

There is also evidence of elephants mourning their dead and visiting the bones and caressing them. Elephants are also known to cry. I believe that profound grief like that can only be experienced because of love.

[@fernandoc9407]

Chuck answered that question in my language🙏🏼 Cake Analogy was refreshing. Great podcast👍🏼

[@andrewah15]

It’s a great idea to invite Chuck Nice to these talks. He brings a great level of humour to the conversation. 😂😂

[@macadelic2492]

Neil looks like a Harry Potter professor 🧙🏾

[@Sorak311]

The Wrinkle suit question.... I think you might be wrong Neil.. When you steam your clothes hanging up.. isnt it the gravity pull the clothes down while you steam it that gets the wrinkles out? So if in space with no gravity acting on the clothing.. Steaming would simple do nothing unless you apply a force to the clothing stretching it

[@AtomizedSound]

🤔 I think Neil is right but it’s also not a typical situation to come across

[@thePocketWatch45]

chuck owned this one..keep being you bro...I see you growing

[@megcarter785]

I have recently begun to expand my knowledge and delve into my love of the mysteries of space and the universe. Im so glad i found your videos! I am in absolute heaven! Proud to be your student Mr tyson ❤❤

[@tomking2613]

WOOO StarTalk upload!!!!!

[@kewa86]

I liked this after Neil's closing part. Nice, inspiring

[@hallcrash]

I would have went with the basketball spinning on a finger, sphere slow/fast analogy. But, that payment running analogy was fun too.

[@Zshimike]

Funny full of knowledge and i love it!!!❤

[@dougant6728]

Chuck Nice shines again

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

I was crying before I start watching. Thanks for making me laugh!! It cheered my whole day up…

[@mikeottersole]

Tommy James was one of my favorites. Crimson and Clover.

[@sleepaid4257]

Chuck went deep with grocery store analogy.

[@KenToney]

My two dogs love me and my wife. We are also naming our rock band Space Butler 😂

[@ThizzRyuko]

12:36 I like chucks answer

[@cfactor221]

What I really would like to hear is the post recording conversation between Chuck and Neil on the nature of some of these questions and who our children look up to 😂😂

[@debbyconnor9498]

@StarTalk The biggest star that is into science that became famous for other things that you missed is Dr Brian May. He is also an astrophysicist with is PhD from Imperial College London. Yes, the same one from the band Queen.

[@KSETONMTL]

The mining ship in space - Red Dwarf! 🙃

[@brianconner1266]

I was looking to see if anyone was going to mention that. Smegheads miss a perfect chance to reference the most scientific space sitcom of them all.

[@peglegjim57]

If you ask “ is love real?”, you’ve never owned a dog.

[@Ensiferum888]

I am so glad that my light cone gets to intersect Dr. Tyson's!

[@kamogelothokwane8312]

Loved this

[@MysticBliss]

❤ Tommy James and the Shondells Baby! 😂 My Playlists are peppered with his music though he was a bit before my time

[@edwinrivera6896]

Chuck was on point this episode

[@Ndoda71]

When they were talking about the abundance of gold in the ocean I thought Chuck was going to say “Pirate treasure!” 😅

[@iclerkrun6602]

Neil what's a skateboard doing in your office? Enjoyed the delivery, thanks.

[@tswakolive2515]

I have not been on this channel in a while, good to be back

[@Kaice88]

these 3 are my answer to "if you could have a convo with anyone dead or alive"

[@rexijay]

We would love to hear you discuss on how you think about what Matthew said in Interstellar that Love is quantifiable, thus believing that it is "them" that made the tesseract.

[@kccreationsgaming]

Oh wow...I'm 34 years old, did not recognize the name Tommy James, but *_boy howdy_* do I recognize his songs! I think we're alone now (I did not realize Tiffany was doing a cover, haha) Mony Mony Crimson and Clover Hanky Panky Draggin the line These are just a few among dozens that stand out during my search. Dude's a legend of the 60s and 70s! Their music reminds me of the Beatles mixed with Frankie Vallie.

[@ANS_11419]

I listened to this episode 2 days ago on spotify😊 it’s awesome!!!

[@MangoThief868]

Wanna cookie?

[@doubleeagle9722]

Excellent show guys. I have enjoyed every bit of this video..... all the jokes and all the facts !

[@MagnusPaul1976]

I wonder whether I will ever have the opportunity to meet Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice in person ? That could be something else !

[@nyc220guy]

Visit the Haden planetarium during one of his public talks.

[@kujessie06]

You 3 got it. Fab combo.

[@joshstrohl5954]

Thank you Chuck for saying Pantera lol

[@gooneybird808]

I love hanging out with you guys for real

[@macmanko7880]

Is that a longboard behind Neil backs in the background? :d

[@greyclaa]

"You have magnetism." -underrated live commentary

[@abunai.j]

Chuck's "Schrodinger's Cake" analogy was epic.

[@Benfica38-xt7de]

Hey Neil! What other life forms can there exist?

[@katymaloney]

Having a Space Butler would definitely be the flex of all flexes.... Much better than being a space Dim Sum with pressed pants.

[@WDChevyMan]

Made me wonder why we don't see Alfred accompanying Batman in the justice league space station

[@Surrealblues]

Crystal Blue Persuasion! 💗💗

[@1dash133]

40:06 time mark: Cam Johnson's question about feeling different at the equator than at the north pole. Neil didn't give full coverage of the answer. He omitted discussion of the centripetal force effect on the person's weight. Someone at the equator would weigh about 1% lighter than he would weigh at the North Pole. Nitpicking aside, this was another funny and whimsical (but fact-filled) video to open our minds as to the wonders of the Universe. Well done, gentlemen. And kudos to the guests who posed such thought-provoking questions.

[@tomroberts2135]

"8 o'clock coffee" - ahhh, a simpler time when people worked 9-5!!!!

[@jamespickney5956]

What. I totally work 9 to 5. Well 6 if it takes us longer to fill all the orders

[@nyc220guy]

Worked 9 to 5 and could travel to work within a half hour.

[@DevaOffical-oe7wz]

HI Neil good to see you bigg fan from India

[@Roger_808]

24:45 the way he looks at the camera like what in the world is neil about say lmao im dying

[@3jholly]

Wokches!! lol. These guys together are great!

[@constantejimofor9213]

woke-chicks 😒 ..and they cause alot of troubles

[@benhutter8667]

Wow what a great answer about love

[@Matt.Thompson.1976]

OMG Chuck! Woke roaches!!! 😂😅😆😆Hilarious! Thank you guys. I always really enjoy you 3 together....always lots of fun.

[@scarboroughathleticcouncil5544]

Interesting analogy, from chuck.

[@benshapiro8506]

knowledge should b free.😊

[@robertnobles8189]

That coffee question creeped me out, only because I have been drinking my 8 o’clock coffee at 9 o’clock when I watched this! 🤯🤣

[@singaniphiri3879]

straight up

[@deanthomas7203]

Neil, If you can, can you elaborate on 2001 & what scenes did they get wrong/your take on the film. Thanks!

[@user-zm3zx5hd3h]

8 O’Clock coffee was the A&P brand and is red. Chock Full O’Nuts is/was predominately a yellow label.

[@zlotchew]

Nice Tina Turner reference! I think it was lost on Neil and Chuck, though.

[@EcksLacks]

Chuck had me 😂😂😂 this episode

[@knifeyforky8943]

Haha no one noticed Gary's joke at 5:34 "it could have been metal-physical, and then we could have gone with iron" but Neil and Chuck were talking over him.

[@taniawilliams3427]

I caught that too and was surprised that Neil didn't respond.

[@xVDRx]

As somebody from Newfoundland, Canada with one of those half hour time zones, I absolutely agree with you. 😂

[@tyrone4u559]

I like how Neil always laughs at Chucks jokes no matter how corny they are

[@nagahumanbeingzooofparticl8836]

Chuck: 7 8 9 Neil- hahahaha 😂😂😂🤣haha

[@PeterWetherill]

Koko showing grief when told that Robin Williams had died!

[@Atomos89]

For the last question, if Cam was asking if we can feel the velocity difference. I refer to F=ma where acceleration a is the change in velocity with respect to time. Therefore, we only feel a change in velocity, not velocity itself. The change is too gradual to feel if someone were to run towards the poles. If earth's velocity suddenly changed, however, we would definitely feel it.

[@avarycanady]

Great video

[@aguycalledbunny5186]

Tommy James is the greatest.

[@robvangessel3766]

A question I'd ask Neil relates to an episode in Star Trek: tos. We learn from a conversation between Uhura and Spock that planet Vulcan has no moon. Is it possible for advanced life to evolve without a moon's influence on the planet?