StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Curiosities with Neil deGrasse Tyson

On this week’s episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Paul Mecurio ( / paulmecurio ) sit down to answer a grab bag full of Cosmic Queries that span the cosmic spectrum. We start at the beginning - the Big Bang. Is “Big Bang” a misnomer for what actually happened? Neil and Paul try and figure out if there’s a better name. You’ll learn how the origins of the name “Big Bang” were birthed from the Steady-state model hypothesis. Discover more about the differences between a law, a hypothesis, and a theory.
We ponder a thought experiment that explores the boundary conditions of the Earth and the Universe. We ask: if you travel close to the edge of the universe, will you see the other side? Find out the immense reach that astrophysical terminology has in popular marketing and everyday products. We discuss Star Trek and what things from the show could be true in real life.
You’ll hear why space tourism requires fundamentally new technology in order to make it accessible for everyday people. Neil tells us about his lottery idea that can send people into space for one dollar per person. You also find out the real costs for sending things into orbit. And, Nell explains why it’s almost certain that there will be fatalities when pushing a frontier forward, like the early days of the airplane industry.
Dive into the delicious mysteries of dark matter: Is it a placeholder for our incomplete understanding of gravity? Does it work differently on galactic scales? Can we eventually use it to help us travel through space? Learn more about the science of something exploding in space. Get details on the tricky business of catching neutrinos. Lastly, you’ll discover why it’s hard to pinpoint the center of the universe. All that, plus, you’ll explore the obstacles in trying to communicate with extraterrestrial life.
This episode originally aired as a podcast on August 23, 2019.
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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 #StarTrek

[@StarTalk]

What gets you curious about the universe?

[@gss123gss]

Everything.

[@NazmiAbdRahim]

does Cosmic Microwave Background have a mass? could it be counted as dark gravity.

[@manurandula]

What gets my curious about the universe is, whether the producers of StarTalk are out of whack about running a podcast in a format that people could appreciate it to the fullest, or just dumb? Thank you.( PS : English is not my first language. I hope my question was clear).

[@brkbtjunkie]

The sheer size of the universe

[@XxXOn3Xx]

what is solar wind? how does it effect other things in the universe?

[@n3xusrage890]

ITS AWESOME TO HAVE MY VERY OWN PERSONAL ASTROPHYSICIST!

[@tim.e.l]

Here's a question for you: Why does a 50 minute episode of Cosmic Curiosities feel like 10 minutes from another KZbin Podcast? Does time really fly when you are having fun?

[@pama2719]

yes your perception of time is entirely up to you, the only thing you cant change is the universal clock

[@abaravindb]

Time is relative :p

[@stevenjones5226]

when ur focused, nothing else matters. pun intended - specially the rate of decay around, we observed as time

[@InnerLuminosity]

Time does not exist. Try to define TIME

[@szotakandrei]

I see what you did there.

[@GlassDeviant]

I love that quote. The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you. I don't think I've ever heard or read a better statement on any subject, ever.

[@josephbishara4791]

So true. Many things that mean so much to us mean nothing in the context of the universe. In the context of the universe, we are just vibrating electrons inside a remote atom.

[@Nobbie248]

@@josephbishara4791 you could say that about anything you know

[@tjruckiis6264]

@@josephbishara4791 I agree, can you elaborate what you said in a more poetic way?

[@Rookgnar]

Including religion

[@Rookgnar]

@@tjruckiis6264 understanding be demanding faith however saving whether science backs alliance acts the Darwinism gaping schism stream of wisdom making charming comments unlike vomit pray Islamic unlike dominering ways of thinking engineering ways of syncing on the brink of ranking false bravado pulse that God will only know the lonely foe of certain things that learning brings to the willing. Farmers tilling knowledge soil reaping spoils of a battle when we travel astro based projections make corrections peer review. A theory new.

[@PrateekK]

Neil could be telling me that I’m dying and it would sound good.

[@MrDoodlewatson]

You are dying. How quickly is the only question.

[@Yora21]

Think of all the amazing new experiences! Think of all the many things that will happen to you that never have happened to anyone alive.

[@wuurrm]

I was literally just telling someone that I could listen to him talk about dog shit for an hour and be content lol

[@brianharris2098]

He'd say something like, "death, the final frontier into the universe. Wherein the forest and fauna you've been feasting on your entire life, finally get their turn at you."

[@elck3]

Listen to Logic’s album where he says that exact thing to Logic

[@checkfoldcallraise]

Neil's tombstone is going to read, "By the way..."

[@heresthethingyouguys]

"Wait, wait, wait!!"

[@okipullup1337]

...keep looking up"

[@lemongavine]

“We got this”. “Are you ready?”

[@AnCapCat]

"Sooo"

[@p11111]

"No. Next question!"

[@rupee3]

“That’s the car we made out in!” 😂

[@lovemaurice]

He's so smart that at times when explaining something, he can get stopped up on microsubjects from his own vast knowledge and I appreciate thoser little nooks and crannies of information. ¡Incredible, Señor!

[@willmccullough3464]

There ya go,,,,Micro subjects !!,,,Wayyyyy to Many!!!!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

To me, this was one of the best shows ever. Great focus on the information I crave, balanced out with just the right amount of intelligent humor. Thanks to both of you!

[@MentalBrothers]

I never went to school, or understood much of this stuff. even though i wanted to untill NDT came along gave me enough understanding and a startline where I actually could pursue this huge interest i thought was way out of my league of intellect! So thanks Neil, for enlightening me! Hopefully someday i've accumulated enough knowledge to also contribute to science (Maybe I should start with my English!)

[@Ronald-xx7gh]

Same here, I was a disgraceful peasant until NDT blew my mind onces, since that moment my life hasn't been the same

[@theduder2617]

Your English is very good. Much better than some who's native language is English. lol

[@mryeet4161]

I love your start talks I love to listen to this before I sleep and am I the only 11 year old

[@SenoritaLisethx3]

i love Neil and Star Talk!!!! I can spend my entire existence watching, back to back. not healthy lol.

[@christinet638]

I wish I had a science teacher like Neil, but I never stop trying to learn. I;'m So appreciative of his knowledge and straight forward answers where he makes complicated ideas easy,, even math!

[@haidargzYT]

😩😭 4:00 AM here in Iraq 🇮🇶 , my favorite astrophysicist

[@andypeiffer5]

He's testing your loyalty lol

[@TheGabrielPT]

I'm sorry you live in Iraq, no offense

[@montanamike7948]

Hello from USA!!

[@vikramsurya6051]

If I had a teacher like Dr. Tyson, it would have been a totally different story and not just for me but for those I taught. I demand that every teacher has same passion as this guy possess.

[@jamienelson3470]

I have to say, I LOVE how much fun NDT always has with these, no matter who he's on with (and this Mecurio guy is great, btw). Neil's infectious joy always lifts my mood, and I always learn a lot of fascinating new things. Mr. Tyson, if you're reading, thank you for enriching my life, and always uplifting my mood! (My family thanks you for that last bit, too!) ;-D

[@slinkyfpv]

Any conversation with Neil is always amazing and entertaining.

[@Greg-nx3dw]

Love all your material Neil, really got me back into science again and you are one of the few people I look up to and encourage my friends to listen to! The way you make it so easy to understand , and entertaining is very unique. Keep up the good work! Much love x

[@alleneverhart4141]

I love the can of Campbell's Primordial Soup on Neil's bookshelf!

[@ambersarkar5285]

Mr Neil you are so carismztic you will listen to anyone who wants to learn about the universe You are about beautiful person I Love you !

[@mckenziekhan6867]

His voice is so soothing, we love you Neil!

[@Klefth]

If astrophysicists had discovered dogs, we'd actually be calling them "woofs" or "woofers" by now. What a shame. 🤣

[@lewdvlesh]

You got a woofer? I always wanted one, but they were too big so I got a borker.

[@Monrealese]

And a small one is a subwoofer

[@Klefth]

@@Monrealese Or a really big one with a really deep bark?

[@TheAmethyz]

our dog wouldnt be woofer it would more like wulululululu

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Excellent man hahaha

[@dannyrobles6112]

Thank you Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson for another day of info. You are a pillar of knowledge and an inspiration to countless souls. Keep up the good work, I hope to work hard and dedicate my life to science partly because of your influence, again thank you so much for everything that you do to help educate us.I am going to click like now so I won't have to later.

[@TheEGCRACKER]

You Neil Degrasse Tyson are the beat down of knowledge, ty. I love your work!

[@doublesdetailer7709]

If you don't hear the music, you think everyone is ....... I was rolling in laughter at 3min 58sec. Next talk time..... Neil talks about car detailing. Neil talks about knitting. Neil talks about fixing modern train. Neil talks about dirty jobs ( mike rowe) Neil talks about pantyhose. Neil talks about his top 5 subjects he wishes to learn more about. You sooo captured me as always with your amazing mind, subtle, clarity and vibrancy in your voice. Bless you Neil

[@pedroaboffa]

Even without watching it i already know this gonna be great.. thanks neil for everything and all books ive read and knowledge

[@keenanstewart2489]

whoo-hoo, Neil deGrass Tyson with Colbert! Always nice to listen/watch Neil on any show :)

[@kmarlow1]

I just wonder if people like myself would have had an influence on me as a child or adolescent. I would probably be doing something completely different in life now! Just recently found startalk after binging on the latest Cosmos series. I've probably listened to 50+ episodes in the last few weeks. Truly love the show and the way you spark curiosity in the mind of us all. Keep up the great work! We need more educators like you and your guests!

[@dat_boah]

When Chuck can't be there, I love when Paul Mecurio fills in👍🏾👍🏾..

[@andypeiffer5]

This was a great one!

[@David-vi9mm]

Best co-host ever! 🤣🤣🙌🏾

[@timothybrown1737]

Thank you for keeping me interestingly Fed about space,and open thinking. We need more....NOW!!

[@TheExoplanetsChannel]

*I love this channel !*

[@HVYContent]

Amazing talk once again Also, wondering if a Dave Chappelle guest appearance can happen

[@sacksj]

Your guests are always the best!

[@akshatpathrikar7080]

I just wish that I could meet Dr.tyson some day & ask my questions about the universe and tell him how important he's to me!❤

[@XxXOn3Xx]

this guy should co host every time

[@iwannaseenow1]

gotta admit, he was good. but so is chuck!

[@thekey2chiachikeymediumllc239]

Love LOVE love this!!!

[@simplyme8009]

Thank you, Gentlemen. Always a delight.

[@andrewjefferson9558]

I love these Storyblocks narration by Chuck

[@nigeljohn6676]

I need Tyson to hold kids classes on the perception of existence to Primary School kids throughout the Caribbean!! Please

[@parrottm76262]

Best segment ever!

[@kimboslice4025]

“I got it right here in my pocket” neil’s teenage years slipping out while saying that phrase 🤨😂

[@Anti-HyperLink]

Because all teenagers are constantly telling dick jokes?

[@kimboslice4025]

Anti-HyperLink and he also voice cracked while saying the phrase i just thought it would be funny overall to make my comment...

[@kimboslice4025]

Neil wouldn’t delete my comment and remove this comment from highlighted comments over a joke bruh someones filtering comments for him ☹️

[@mr.yissal557]

#Weatit24

[@FeedYourGreed]

Thanks for coming to Minneapolis, last night. Was quite enjoyable.

[@MySynthDungeon]

This is the best!! Cheers!!

[@daveschaefer8706]

Paul was great.

[@melodylee6649]

Had a great time, Paul was fun, thanks always..... what am I curious about?.....The existence of the Universe and the formula of our human existence.

[@raenayers815]

I really wish the guests were named in the title instead. I know Tyson is gonna be in it. Minor complaint. Still love the show

[@SirCB85]

Except when Neil is on Vacation and Bill Nye is hosting in his place.

[@TheYellow1203]

I 💚 the way Neil explain things...

[@leonardwitucke1]

Thank you for all you do Neil.

[@soknanhorn215]

Neil is awesome....you too Paul....and no..we don't blame you for him answering Paul's questions! Great job and enjoy watching!

[@heyimjustaguy3743]

Paul Mercurio is dope I would love to see him in the next episode.

[@brittanyhutchison9807]

You are the greatest asset to human life we could ever ask for your thee best thx for being a awsome teacher and person NDT

[@johnyepthomi892]

"you wanna go to space? RUNNN!!" THAT WAS HILARIOUS. 😂😅😂😂

[@jamesserdna8867]

Yeahhh yeahhhhhh Star talk! Woot woot!

[@loam]

Have a huge respect for Neil, one of my favourite people on Earth, actually)

[@toniomalley5661]

Vincent’s starry night and a didgeridoo on the same shelf I love it

[@grapy83]

27:00 It was a really great question.

[@heresthethingyouguys]

I clicked the like button and it went from 7.2k to 7.3k!

[@parrottm76262]

The 'science' product names segment was hilarious!

[@johnyepthomi892]

Paul Mecurio is awesome host.

[@Ambitas1]

Hi, I always had this thought that as the boundaries of the visible universe is determined by the time from the big bang and the distance that light could travel since then. That would mean that each point in space is the center of its own visible universe. Then it would not be wrong to say that I am the center of my own universe. Thank you, greetings from Argentina

[@jamienelson3470]

This made my night. :-D

[@queenexistence5735]

I miss being on his spaceship with him. Just him and me....flying around the Universe together. Him as my personal guide. ☹️ ❤️Bring back the Neil Tyson Spaceship!!!!!!! 😊

[@midnitecro3915]

Goodnight Star Talk 😊

[@Curionauta361]

Thanks, Neil. For sharing. Liked and shared all the way,

[@hooper365]

❤ awesome stuff

[@azathothnightmare4394]

Was in and out when talking about gum, but as soon as I heard Mill Creek I was super stoked. 425 for the win!!!

[@dariuszlabuzekart269]

Fantastic lecture!!! Here in the future we love everything NDT is doing.

[@StarTalk]

Fascinating

[@aceofacez10]

Wow this was a good episode.

[@victorburgos8404]

Is that a Mr. NDT Bobblehead behind him on the bookshelf? If it is I want one! Thank you for teaching us with an awesome personality! I hate the ending of each episode! Until I see another I can watch ! Stay safe!

[@SadCatSad]

20:08 basically just explained a whole topic of business administration in 10 seconds which took me several lessons with my teacher back in the day

[@tinox12]

oh shit i am so happy that i found this :D never stop doing YT videos, pleeaaase :)

[@danielbray3494]

Instead of the Big Bang we should call it Initial Universal Expansion

[@tim.e.l]

Daniel Bray What I wanted to know is it really the universe that expanded or did the initial expansion expand into the universe. If not what did the universe expand into?

[@okaydetar821]

@@tim.e.l The universe expanded into spacetime.

[@ELETRIKDOG001]

"the big deal"

[@InnerLuminosity]

@@tim.e.l nothingness.. We are ALL in the Center of INFINITY!

[@stevebrindle1724]

@@okaydetar821 I am willing to bet that 99% of people who use the term Space=Time have not got a clue what the term really means, including me

[@montanamike7948]

NO CHUCK! BEST EPISODE EVER!

[@queenexistence5735]

Go awaaaaaaaay.....guest person. I want Dr Tyson....alone. Just him. Nothing personal.

[@22patch22]

weird

[@nichonoche535]

Thank you sir

[@ReDClouD_Ns]

You would be the best science teacher in any school ⭐🗣️

[@tayuyaspace3046]

Dr Neil i love you man i am going to study Astrophysics in 2 years after i finish my undergraduate in homeopathy here in South Africa yeeah

[@sci-guy-no-5514]

I think Subaru is also a cosmic name, its names after a constellation or cluster of stars if I remember right.

[@DonnieDK11]

Dear Neil, "Star" is not latin but Greek. It means "something that doesnt remain or stand still". "A" = not, or does not "Stir"= basically stay or remain => Astir :) LOVE YOUR SHOWS!!!!

[@mikepokemon8714]

Mr Tyson, what is your opinion on forgotten ancient tech. Such as the Bagdad battery and tech used to make ruins such as pumapunku. Thank for being a great and open minded, we need more like yourself to advance humanity properly.

[@parkerredding3093]

So glad i have a personal astrophysicist

[@victorb145]

Of course I'm at the right place at the right time. Am using my time machine. My time is 3 years in the future. But I use my time machine to come back and watch this episode

[@n8thegr8st1]

Neil's pickup line "Wana find out how much dark matter can fit inside you?"

[@jlo08996]

Nathan Brenner brilliant

[@necroside0077]

Go away 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@codybuffington6740]

Nathan Brenner bruv 🤣💀

[@alycinannette2737]

,😭😭😭

[@elizabeth0813]

That's it in moving to Canada

[@shigabasmith5820]

I love that starry night phone case Neil

[@V1N_574]

46:30 damn it I'm having lunch 😭😭😭

[@josephbishara4791]

Were you eating carrots?

[@kirbslife]

Lol Dude I love Neil DeGrasse Tyson he really makes learning fun

[@daveswampSC]

Lol! Omg. Thank you! That's definitely a keeper!!😎👍

[@lorainej1313]

Wow! Just wow!

[@aungthuhein007]

36:52 The best reason ever for this. There's no arguing with that :P

[@stephskylarr]

The cosmic car names thing.. *mind blown*

[@brian_mcnulty]

You gotta get Dr. Robert Zubrin on here. That would be an awesome episode.

[@number1enemyoftheuseless985]

Your amazing Neil 🙏✝️

[@ELETRIKDOG001]

We as a species don't deserve Neil, but I think I'm lucky to be alive in the period he is

[@michellescarfSpacex]

🎉🎉🎉 The Main Event starting Barbara Strisand 😂

[@budharris40]

I'd like to ask Dr Tyson a question regarding the age of the Earth. On one of his episodes of Cosmos, a scientist was tasked with determining the amount of lead in a zircon crystal as compared to the amount of uranium. The science was supposed to be determining the age of the Earth. On another episode of the series, Dr. Tyson was discussing element formation. The big bang was responsible for the hydrogen (a lot), helium (a little), and lithium (a tiny amount). Everything else up to iron was forged in the fusion processes of stars of varying masses with only the highest mass stars able to produce iron in their fusion cores. All elements past iron on the periodic table have been produced as a result of supernovas, including lead and uranium. As there are no solar system formation mechanics able to produce uranium or lead (or anything past helium, for that matter) how is determining the lead/uranium ratio anything other than simply determining the age of the uranium? Is there a planetary formation process that locks the uranium in zircon of which I am unaware?

[@dennisnicholson952]

Hey, Dr. Neil, I have a question. The Earth's core is fairly large for it's size and it, as a result, has a strong magnetic field. Now, reference this in relation to the super earths that are being found. Is there any hypothesis as to how large their cores might be and consequently the strengths of their magnetic fields.

[@highstreetkillers4377]

They could have no magnetic field

[@JasonWW2000]

Iirc, Earths core is molten metal and spinning which creates the magnetic field. Other planets may or may not have all the all the ingredients to produce a magnetic field.

[@aussiebloke609]

7:03 My understanding of "scientific theory vs law" is that scientific laws are descriptive accounts of how nature will behave under certain conditions. Scientific theories are broader in scope, and give overarching explanations of how nature works and _why_ it exhibits certain characteristics, and not simply a "from this, comes that" approach that laws seem to encapsulate. Theories are also supported by evidence from many different sources, and may contain one or several laws. This would seem to differ from the idea that what we called laws in the past have had that nomenclature revised.

[@vansdan.]

no. theory means it's 100% correct always, but doesnt always _explain_ itself 100%, if that makes any sense. law is humans trying to fix that by categorizing.

[@ignorasmus]

Hypothesis: It is a basically a “guess” about the functioning of a phenomenon. It is a sapling that might grow into a Law or theory in the presence of proof and data or die out in absence of it. For example, the concept of “ Multiverse” is a hypothesis. There is no hard proof for it. It arises out of somewhat wrongly named “String theory”. The string theory itself treads the border of a Theory - Hypothesis frontier. It has some really good mathematical proof that works out elegantly on paper, but no real world corroborations. Law: It is simply the statement of an observed phenomenon in nature. It does not include a cause or explanation of the phenomenon. For example, Gravity causes objects to be attracted towards each other. Newton’s Law states that and even makes fairly accurate predictions about the strength of that attraction. It however, does not tell us why the objects attract each other. Theory: It is an explanation of a phenomenon. For example, Einstein’s theory of relativity explains that Objects attract each other by bending space- time due the mass/ matter inherent in them. It goes beyond Newton’s law of gravity. It gives a reason or explanation. Another example would be the theory of evolution. It explains that all living forms evolve and adapt to their surrounding through “survival of the fittest”. All these terms are used rather loosely by everyone including many good scientists. Sometimes, they are not really focused on the terminology but on the specific subject matter being discussed.

[@aussiebloke609]

@Swamy Malgudi Beautifully put - and much more eloquent than my mawkish ramblings. I especially appreciate that bit about what I like to call "String Hypothesis." :-D