Stars Ask Neil Their Deep Questions

What happens after death? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly answer science questions from celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Dax Shepard, Sway Calloway, and more!
Sway Calloway asks whether humankind is a virus to planet Earth and we discuss if we would be an effective virus. Rob Reiner asks: where will we go when we pass away? Learn about where photons go after cremation, trying to x-ray the soul, and the illegal thing Chuck wants to do with his ashes.
Next, Kelly Clarkson wonders whether rainbows can exist on other planets. What would a methane rainbow look like? Could rainbows on other planets have different colors? Neil explains how double rainbows work and how rainbows aren’t technically a bow at all. Neil answers Dax Shepard’s question about how lift works, explaining the Bernoulli Effect and how planes can fly upside down.
J.B. Smoove asks about the iconic Superman scene where he reverses the rotation of the Earth to travel back in time. What would happen if you reversed the direction of Earth’s rotation? Plus, Neil tells us about the time he met the real Superman and helped him view the destruction of Krypton.
Thanks to our Patrons JEFF MARTINKA, Lacey Jane, Scott Bringloe, Jehan Hariramani, Julien Genest, Melissa Rittenhouse, an Jared Cone for supporting us this week.
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: Asking Questions to Astrophysicists
01:34 - Sway Calloway: Are Humans a Virus?
06:18 - Rob Reiner: Where Do We Go When We Die?
10:19 - Measuring the Soul & Chuck’s Final Wish
12:37 - Special Announcement!
13:20 - Kelly Clarkson: Are There Rainbows on Other Planets?
17:13 - Double Rainbows
22:49 - Dax Shepard: How Does Lift Work?
27:43 - StarTalk Patreon
29:24 - J.B. Smoove: Can You Reverse the Rotation of the Earth to Time Travel?
35:27 - Neil Meeting Superman

[@StarTalk]

Which celebrity query was your favorite?

[@user-cc9zr3wp1s]

Dude please go check out the liberty engine 2.0 perpetual motion magnetic engine, i did some research and i found a few videos of people recreating it that works look up replica liberty engine test you'll see them, I've also came across an article of a 17 year old boy who successfully made a perpetual magnetic generator that worked based on the same concepts amd won first place in a contest. if there is even a sliver of chance that this technology is real WE need to know. please review the videos and research of the 17 year old and give us your thoughts. is this technology legit. is this the game changer. if so why isn't it garnering more attention

[@Hibiscus-yx5tl]

@StarTalk, next video please ask Neil to explain migraines and sinus congestion. I don't want the biological/ medical answers. I want to know the physics of it. Why do migraines get bad when there is atmospheric pressure change, wind, rain, temperature, and change in seasons? Does it have something to do with the speed of the rotation of the earth? Have physicists done any research on this subject? Better still, when astronauts, especially the women, live in space (in the space station) for extended periods, do they get migraines?

[@no1uknugamingchannel]

Sway ...all over the board 😂 but still great questions

[@shanehuerta7143]

You need to make this a new segment 🔥🔥

[@Mr2bad1]

Superman was good.

[@Nate-hw1nc]

Nooo freakin wayy the gang in person!!

[@imdiyu]

Makes me so happy.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024!

[@paulvamos7319]

😂 Or, Chuck and Neil!

[@livinginthisgalaxy7961]

Indeed. Why aren't more people like Neill in politics???

[@paulvamos7319]

@@livinginthisgalaxy7961 Because they are getting paid millions by corporations and Super PACs! They only care about the money, not what is right or wrong!

[@CynthiaDelFava]

👍😂

[@sergioakaskyler]

Actually yes Neil is very eager to consult experts of their respective fields instead of being confident in his ignorance. I'd bet he'd make a good political leader.

[@BrickTsar]

My favorite part was Chuck’s dramatic reading of Action Comics 14. Changed my whole perspective on Superman

[@uncleelias]

Who knew Superman was white Mike Tyson

[@eventfulnonsense]

What section was that? I want to skip and go directly to it.

[@hopegold883]

His NDT was waaaay better than I expected

[@uncleelias]

@@eventfulnonsenseLast section, Neil meets Superman

[@genx7006]

What did the early human say to his fellow nomads on the serenghetti? "Ya herd?" 😂

[@carolablue5293]

Chuck is not only hilarious, he is smart.

[@Dr.Kornelius]

He's also funny

[@Reportbots]

Chuck is a clown, I like Starktalk but sometimes he needs to stop the antics.

[@WhimSprint]

0:00: 🌟 Celebrity Interviews with Astrophysicist Neil Tyson at Special Events 4:39: 🦠 Discussion on the destructive nature of humans compared to viruses, highlighting our lack of awareness. 9:21: 💭 Exploring consciousness, biodegradability, and the existence of a soul beyond physical death. 13:40: 🎤 Neil reveals his cameo in Kelly Clarkson's music video near Time Warner Center. 18:04: 🌈 Explanation of the optics behind the formation of rainbows and their size. 22:20: 🌈 Discussion on using ammonia for rainbows, followed by a story involving Dax Shephard and Kristen Bell. 26:52: ✈️ Explanation of airplane design for runway clearance and lift during takeoff. 31:14: 🌌 Exploration of reversing Earth's rotation to change time in a distress call scene from Superman movie. 35:58: 🌌 Superman visits the Hayden Planetarium in Action Comics 14 to witness the destruction of Krypton. Timestamps by Tammy AI

[@shakira.rahman8786]

This is entirely AI written?

[@feralbluee]

Wow! thanks. i never realized how much the conversations cover. so interesting. love Chuck’s first response ROTFL 🤣🌷🌱

[@ShonMardani]

Dear professor(s) the angle you are struggling to explain and understand is called "Angel of Attack". You are lacking the understanding of aerodynamics, angle of attack increases the lift of the wing, LIFT is generated by the shape of the wings and if you increase the angle of attack at some point wings will lose its lift and stalls.

[@rachel_rexxx]

Chuck's low key calling out the first questioner for getting their question from _The Matrix_ by using Keanu Reeves as the reference at the first opportunity is *chef's kiss* but then he made it explicit and killed the wink to camera lol

[@JJ66680]

Tbh, I love most anything explained to the nth degree (when I am not needing to do something else)..

[@Geraldineville]

I like the rainbow question from Kelly Clarkson and I liked how Neil briefly, clearly, and how brilliantly Neil answered it!

[@randomgamerdude98]

“I want my ashes in pepper shakers around nyc” Chuck is hilarious😂

[@thatonechick6837]

I always look forward to these videos.

[@SuperDigitalArtist]

how old are you!?!?!

[@CaptPhiI]

Guys, don't be creepy pls.

[@user-xh2fg4wo7j]

The gang is cracking me up!😆The Startalk is the best science class for me as always, learning and enjoying all together. Arigatou! - from a Patreon member in Japan

[@nathanmoore1893]

I love in person startalk!!!!!

[@judiarevalo8580]

These three guys educate and make my day, all at the same time!

[@menezeson]

This was one of the best episodes I’ve seen! Loved it!

[@Uatu-the-Watcher]

Superman wasn’t stopping and physically reversing the Earth. He was moving fast enough to travel back in time. This was merely illustrated through displaying Earth’s rotation.

[@skeletorra1970]

Yeah Superman was faster than the speed of light, he didn't cause the spin to reverse, he went backwards in time. Wouldn't that mean 2 Supermen exist at that moment?

[@banishedbr]

i don't think it goes back in time, just if you go light speed you slow time speed, not backwards...

[@wordsandtech]

Yep, exactly. As he's moving back in time, the earth would appear to rotate in the opposite direction.

[@MaverickBlue42]

I'm ok with this retcon

[@Nora_Michels]

This is the only way I can make sense of that scene as well lol; with the caveat that by doing so, he creates a new timeline in an alternate dimension, explaining why there is no "past him" that he'd have to worry about, ("past him" went faster than the speed of light and traveled back in time, creating the aforementioned new timeline, so the "past him" is still the "current him"...if that makes sense.) 😅

[@Maria-ni4rc]

Loved the Action Comic 14 narrative reading...

[@rikuddou]

"Oh geez, THANKS!"

[@Madjimjaspers90]

Me too that was to funny

[@Bil491]

I feel refreshed after watching these videos, Neil and chuck such a lovely dual

[@bigcity2085]

Chuck's ashes in a pepper mill would be.....Ground Chuck !

[@NobleSainted]

The most fun I've had in _months!!_ Thank you gentlemen!

[@shanehuerta7143]

Need more of these 🎉

[@gmhefner1]

🤣 that first question made the panel go rogue! 🤣

[@alishah9867]

Neil was holding the camera/phone for the first guy! his reflection was in the glass!

[@mosheswisa]

I LOVE THE FACT YOURE FILMING IN THE OFFICE AGAIN !!

[@StephenSternGoth]

This conversation was so fun

[@OM4Rx]

“That is nasty” Neil is killing me 😂lmao

[@michaelallen2358]

Neil and Chuck seriously run 4 president and vice please,my bet is you would help save this planet with science and common sense.

[@no1uknugamingchannel]

Waiter there's some Chuck Nice in my soup 🍲😂

[@dmytrospikin748]

Feels like Christmas, thank you for this amazing gift!!!

[@pakyoungchae]

Good thing we have access to one of the 8000 astrophysicists on the planet to talk about anthropology.

[@margaretjohnson8029]

What a great start of my day! Thanks guys!😂

[@Lov3toPlay]

Awesome!!! I loved every single second! Thank you very much for this video. One love from UK x

[@DeejayJeanP]

I'd love to see the uncut edits of these shows 😂

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

Pay up then!

[@Okafor1000]

Looked up double rainbow guy. It was worth the watch

[@no1uknugamingchannel]

🌈🌈😢😂

[@noahmiyavong6780]

Chuck is slaying it. Love these guys. Star talk fan here

[@marianagyorgyfalvi3659]

Neil, good that you told us about the second channel, I didn't know it was yours!

[@kevinwells4986]

Loved this. I wish breaking the sound barrier could change time backwards. Regardless of that foo-pah I loved this vide as much as any that Neil and cohort put out. Please keep educating all of us as best you can.

[@everaldrhoden5549]

Informative and a belly of laughs as usual. Thanks guys.

[@benjaminvanlandingham5568]

I really like when Gary O'REILLY IS ON the show.He always has good points to add and redirection to a point

[@saratazi3025]

Nice conversation 👍

[@TheGiggleMasterP]

Even stars have questions about stars 😅

[@stephenhammond6962]

Great to see you guys all day in one room not on zoom 👍

[@bhuffman1928]

I watch your show all day! LOVE IT!

[@raghavendras4097]

Man... The first question is my question... Well rather my thought...

[@unusual686]

It was a great question.

[@clintjohnson1045]

We’re animals, it’s your hubris that makes you think your above just being a parasite

[@ricarcorpse]

When you thought Neil couldn't be cooler... He met the real Superman. Cheers from Chile!!

[@robertnobles8189]

I think the point of the first question was that our small numbers and being nomads, created less of mark on the earth. We lived lightly and didn’t have so much physical “stuff” like buildings and products and waste. Once we settled in one place, we left more destruction, and that spread over most the world.

[@JugglaPoppa]

Also to expand on it, humans have evolved to the point where have no predators other than ourselves and any existential threats. Without a predator, we are an invasive species that could potentially disrupt the balance of nature. However, China tried to remedy this by applying euthanasia but now China is about to miss out on a generation of people. Can we as a species find a balance on earth, or is the fait of humanity dependent on multiplanetary colonization?

[@iphoneShothand]

Loved the question from Dr Ray Deangelo Harris!

[@RBCjr1]

he saw the 'unicorn pooping rainbow colored ice cream commercial too', same one I saw, Coooool.

[@khaliphanikhumalo7193]

So much of laughter - This is one of the greatest Startalk episodes...

[@joppadoni]

Neil is in love with his Comic book intro so much..

[@lilysawyer1]

I loved listening to celebs asking questions. I was lucky to see Dr. Tyson in person at the Warner Theater in DC a couple of years ago. (one thing that bothers me is that Star Talk has joined other platforms that charge you to see certain content. )

[@chrisblack9851]

Neil never let Chuck finish his point about Agent Smith in The Matrix on viruses

[@timothycaver3768]

I agree with the premise of the first question as well. It posits that the earth is really the biggest living thing and that perhaps we are no different to earth than viruses are to us.

[@thesuncollective1475]

Ok thats the new bar, being in a Superman comic. That's superfame 😊

[@paschalumeji8]

Totally enjoyed the show.. 😂❤❤

[@lynnebester321]

You guys are absolutely the best! Love from South Africa

[@paulvamos7319]

Rainbows are unicorn farts! Best comment! 😂 And unicorn 💩 is ice cream! 🤣👍

[@mikgandii3897]

Science! ;D

[@paulvamos7319]

@@mikgandii3897 Silence, I keel you! 🤣😂😅😁

[@paulvamos7319]

They have to have a ventriloquist on and "talk" about the science of the craft! 🤣

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

Sometimes the icecream has little nut bits n' stuff in it, sometimes it's soft serve!😂

[@paulvamos7319]

@@Bob-of-Zoid But, it's always multi color! Just like the old Comcast logo! 🤣

[@Merrunz]

I worked in my middle school's planetarium as an after school club. I got to change the slides and help set up for shows. In regards to "the planetarium voice", that is the voice used in the planetariums 😂

[@cher_sh]

Hi Niel! You're fantastic! ❤

[@ristershah]

Neil and Chuck, you guys are soo good together, so so good. Oh mann

[@Adeus1]

What a great show, guys! Chuck is hilarious 😂

[@g_o.ducatikid5184]

Love your show!! Where can I submit a question to get answered?

[@ValentinaMoretti]

Loved it! 💜

[@alro11]

all I can say its a good thing Gary is there keeping these 2 from arguing and on subject

[@MrWeusi]

What was the name of the music video that Neil was in of Kelly Clarksan?? Anyone know?

[@lalah9481]

Great. More please.

[@zyxwvut4740]

30:56 My head cannon for _Superman_ (1978) is that, inflamed by Lois' death he was able to fly faster than ever before, close to the speed of light. The planet Earth's gravity well then added a slingshot effect to his already ludicrous speed. This propels him faster than light, which, according to the _actual_ laws of physics would send him backwards in time (like a tachyon). From his point of view, the Earth would _appear_ to be rotating backwards, though it isn't. Obviously anything with mass couldn't really go that fast, but hey, he's Superman! You have to suspend a fair amount of disbelief.

[@emefcue]

This is so cool all 3 of them in person!

[@anthonygordon9483]

Chuck doesnt live that far from Neil which is why Chuck is usually at his office. I believe Chuck lives in New Jersey which is a 2 hour drive but Chuck is always doing comedy in New York so I can see why he would stop by every now and then or at least more frequently.

[@masheldon]

Fun! I would like Neil to investigate a bit more about airfoils. 1. As Neil notes, *any* airfoil can fly upside down --- it doesn't have to be an F-16 or anything special. There are plenty of small planes with modest power that routinely fly upside down (the limitations on how long come from pilot comfort and mechanical systems that rely on a particular orientation of the force of gravity, e. g., for engine lubrication). A drone with an electric motor can fly upside down as long as it has power. By the way, aerobatic planes often have symmetrical airfoils (with no increased camber on the top). 2. I don't know what physical property would require particles that go over the wing to accelerate to meet particles that go under. In fact, that isn't what happens. The air (or other fluid) flowing over the top of an airfoil at a positive angle of attack does accelerate --- it actually gets *ahead* of the air that flows under. (I've seen quite a few videos of this, and just found this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6KlnpeQYqeBn8ksi=xgClqOD5cTvVCmjS now.) I also note the acceleration changes in magnitude and direction, angling downwards. I believe the mass of air accelerating downward results in a upward force --- a component of the total lift. Question: What causes air going over an airfoil (with a positive angle of attack) to accelerate? Is there an explanation that doesn't involve differential equations? I can see the smoke in the wind tunnel, but *why* does that happen?

[@ShonMardani]

Dear professor(s) the angle you are struggling to explain and understand is called "Angel of Attack". You are lacking the understanding of aerodynamics, angle of attack increases the lift of the wing, LIFT is generated by the shape of the wings and if you increase the angle of attack at some point wings will lose its lift and stalls.

[@CynthiaDelFava]

Great video guys. I needed a few laughs today.😁

[@sherylbegby]

Love Chuck - and the whole channel

[@hackerthumb1551]

Hi, I was curious about the Fermi paradox, I understand the inferance of a planet is based on spectral analysis of the lights waveform, ie gaps representing the elements absorbing some of the wave spectra. What would our own planets composition show, considering artificial materials, greenhouse gases, nuclear testing. I ask this as a suggestion to a possible difference, and do we search through the spectral data of other planets for these types of markers. Ie artificial/modified chemicals in the light bands from observing distant worlds? One-day I will sub to your patreon :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Niel, Chuck and Gary, you all rock!

[@leolopez6341]

Y'all are great

[@CallmeBigfat]

finally back to in person, only took 4 years!

[@user-rs2fh9jo8t]

hey can anybody tell me if the time is relative and is dependent on other quantities, does it mean that these quantities will change if we someday establish our personal time domain. how will the external time iinfluence on the domain?? i have just passed by class 12th so some refrences would help

[@jwiderstra]

I love Chuck

[@HBMtv_]

Who else loves startalk?!?❤

[@vgoated_god1088]

I love how unserious this is, but educational as well. Like they’re just talking to each other cracking jokes and explaining well thought questions, but this is so much for us to learn, if you didn’t already know things like this.

[@unusualcontent1821]

this show is the best thing on the interwebs

[@TheMpc1000]

Awesome podcast to😊

[@cbarbas]

Man I love the show, I really do!

[@MrHugemoth]

I've seen the circular rainbows on the top of clouds while flying my ultralight. If you look close your shadow is in the middle.

[@luciojpfilho]

Amazing 4K video.

[@RinCho880203]

I really like how real his answer was about where we go after we die. he answered it so simply but thinking through the simplicity of his answer you see how connected we all are to the cosmic universe. If you die and get buried, you give yourself back to earth, but if you get cremated, all the energy leaving your body through the process of burning your body to ashes, returns parts of you to the universe. It's like cremation is the express ticket to travel the rest of the universe, while burying the dead is like just delaying what's eventually suppose to happened. in the end, you return to where you come from. the only questions I have is where does our consciousness go away after death? and once we die, just like the circle of life, is there a possibility that we will be born again?

[@OM4Rx]

I love these 😂❤ keep going guys

[@sharktomesmiles]

Danng Great first question!!! I dito that

[@michaelkennedy3645]

Yay! Startalk plus!

[@joshuaadambrewer9719]

I live Petersburg, WV. We get double rainbows quite often. Amazing

[@KindHappyLove]

Pretty sure in Superman he is supposed to be speeding up to faster than the speed of light going backwards in time. The earth is reversing as a visual cue to the audience.

[@andrewsabado453]

Do the next one now please

[@brandonfields4022]

Star Talk street cread.😂 good one

[@fooferbob9230]

Cool guys, this is like the OG format of StarTalk.

[@MrXeCute]

Thx for the tip, heading to CERN right now!!! 😂

[@mitchelllion6052]

14:05 anyone know what Kelly clarkson music video this is?

[@venom00112]

Superman- the rotation of the earth was just a visual representation. Superman was going faster than light which is why he went back in time

[@howtokdj1498]

Still makes no sense though. He's made of matter, isn't he? Also...Paradox much?

[@theresacrubaugh2095]

Kelly Clarkson's was my favorite question. But all of this video was awesome!

[@TheSteveBoyd]

0:57 - I'm no mathematician, but that would make Neil one in a million. Talk about a humble brag! 😂

[@DayneTreader]

17:45 I've seen a triple rainbow before. The sun was directly overhead, after a nice rain. I saw a rainchakram (circular rainbow) and two rainbows pointing towards the rainchakram and not pointing towards the ground. I'll have to see if my dad still has the picture.

[@MadWorldEarth]

J.B Smoove was TOO funny‼️ Comedy gold 30:56

[@dennismccormick9204]

Whats going on with laminer flow wings that some WW2 fighters had?

[@Mekea1000]

To answer the 1st question by Sway; i believe we are more of a parasite to our planet than a virus. I recall in Anatomy & Physiology class, our professor had us breakdown the fetal stages. We wrote the definition of a parasite, than wrote about the differences and had to decide. By definition a fetus is considered a parasite. ❤❤❤