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!
Also pulls from https://www.youtube.com/@StarTalkPlus
From StarTalk. In this special live episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson joins Chuck Nice on stage at a comedy club to do something different from a typical StarTalk conversation: Neil reacts in real time to stand-up comedy and explains the science behind the jokes. As comedians raise questions about the universe, atoms, race, religion, aliens, and…
From StarTalk. How did scientists discover evidence for dark energy? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Paul Mecurio explore dark energy, Hubble tension, and the beginning and end of the universe with astrophysicist and Nobel laureate, Adam Riess. Learn the story of how Adam helped discover dark energy, and how he wrote equations expecting to measure…
From StarTalk. Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, ‘To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery’ on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil…
From StarTalk. Neil deGrasse Tyson, joined by Charles Liu, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly, humorously dissect Superman’s powers through the lens of real physics, physiology, and astronomy, questioning whether iconic superhero moments could actually work in the real universe. By examining momentum, digestion, X-ray vision, relativity, wormholes, and the destruction of Krypton, the group reveals…
From StarTalk. Are our parts replaceable? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, & Gary O’Reilly sit down with bestselling author Mary Roach, who discusses her newest book, Replaceable You, and the quest to grow organs, build parts, and engineer the human body. The discussion begins with an exploration of the human body as a complex machine…
From StarTalk. In this final stretch of the conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elise Crull discuss whether quantum physics will ever feel intuitive to human beings, given that our minds evolved to understand only classical, everyday physics. They highlight the need for philosophy and physics to reconnect, examining assumptions, language, causality, and the logic behind…
From StarTalk. Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, ‘To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery’ on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil…
From StarTalk. What’s up with the aurora moving south? How does aurora even work? Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down why people are seeing more aurora activity, what aurora is, the solar cycle, and more! Timestamps: 00:00 – What’s Up with Aurora? 00:17 – What is Aurora? 2:09 – Why is Aurora Borealis Moving South? 3:00…
From StarTalk. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elise Crull discuss how the idea of objectivity in science becomes deeply challenged when quantum mechanics enters the scene. Together, they explore how measurement inevitably disturbs quantum systems, how entanglement prevents us from treating objects as separate, and why both physicists and philosophers still debate the meaning of nonlocality,…
From StarTalk. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/startalk What if our universe is the inside of a black hole… inside another black hole? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Paul Mecurio answer a grab bag of fan questions about black hole mergers, the misconception about gravity assists, and if there’s such a thing as…
From StarTalk. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elise Crull explore how physics evolved from the 1700s onward, discussing figures like Newton, Leibniz, and Émilie du Châtelet, and how early physics was inseparable from philosophy. They trace how physics gradually split from philosophy—especially after WWII—becoming a hyper-specialized field that often discourages broad, cross-disciplinary thinking. From ‘How Quantum…
From StarTalk. Do we ever stop moving?! Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down all the ways we are moving throughout the universe, from Earth’s rotation, precession, to the Milky Way galaxy’s movement toward the Great Attractor. Timestamps: 00:00 – Everything that’s in Motion 00:11 – Rotating Earth 01:15 – Earth’s Precession & Chandler Wobble 04:17 –…
From StarTalk. Neil and Kim answer a highly technical viewer question about why X-ray telescopes prioritize photon collection over diffraction-limited resolution. Kim explains the limits of physics and engineering—X-ray photons are extremely energetic and hard to focus—so maximizing photons is essential. They also discuss how scientists assign colors to invisible X-ray data, balancing scientific fidelity…
From StarTalk. Neil and Kim discuss the incredible cosmic drama of Eta Carinae, a nearby massive star system undergoing violent eruptions, shedding material, and possibly approaching a future supernova. They explain how missions like Chandra and Hubble monitor its changes over human timescales and how sonification of X-ray data helps scientists detect patterns that are…
From StarTalk. Go to https://ground.news/startalk to stay fully informed on the latest Space and Science news. Save 40% off through our link for unlimited access to the Vantage plan this month. What is truly foundational to the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice welcome physicist and author Brian Cox for a discussion about emergence,…
From StarTalk. Bogdan Botezatu explains how deepfake technology and vulnerabilities in internet-connected devices (IoT) pose serious threats to national security. He cites examples such as a fake video of President Zelensky during the Ukraine war and potential cyberattacks through internet-connected solar inverters that could trigger massive blackouts across Europe. Neil deGrasse Tyson concludes the segment…
From StarTalk. Are we making science fiction a reality? Is that a good thing? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and guest Adam Becker, science communicator and author of More Everything Forever, take a clear-eyed tour through sci-fi dreams, tech-bro promises, and the real science shaping our tomorrow. We explore the predictions made by billionaires and…
From StarTalk. The conversation explores the psychology and mechanics behind modern online scams, particularly “pig butchering,” where criminals build emotional trust through fake relationships to execute financial fraud, and “honeypots,” which are cybersecurity tools designed to study and trap hackers. Neil and the guest discuss how emotion and technology intertwine — from romance scams to…
From StarTalk. Did we find the first-ever stars in the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down what’s up with the first generation of stars, JWST’s discoveries, and the early universe could’ve made more massive stars than we see today. Go to https://ground.news/startalk to stay fully informed on the latest Space and Science news. Save 40%…
From StarTalk. Neil deGrasse Tyson and neuroscientist Ben Rein discuss the effects of MDMA (ecstasy) on social behavior and empathy. Ben explains that MDMA increases serotonin and dopamine in the brain, enhancing feelings of connection and empathy — but it’s too toxic for daily use. The conversation also explores whether such drugs could help combat…
From StarTalk. Can you listen to a picture of the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice welcome back Chandra X-ray Observatory data-sonification expert Kim Arcand of the to explore how translating cosmic data into sound lets us sense the universe in entirely new ways. We break down what sonification is and why…
From StarTalk. Neil deGrasse Tyson and neuroscientist Ben Rein explore how empathy works in the brain — centered on the prefrontal cortex and emotional regulation — and why it exists in a “Goldilocks zone”: enough to drive compassion but not so much that it becomes paralyzing. They also discuss how empathy can weaken through social…
From StarTalk. In this conversation between Dr. Ben Rein, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly, they explore the neuroscience of extroversion, introversion, and social connection — and how these traits directly affect happiness, brain health, and longevity. Dr. Rein explains that social interaction strengthens the brain like a workout, lowering inflammation and slowing…
From StarTalk. In a world overflowing with opinions, clips, conspiracies, and AI-generated answers, how do you know what’s actually true? Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down his personal checklist for navigating the modern information landscape—yellow flags, red flags, and why evidence-based thinking matters more than ever. From scientific claims and podcasts to clipped videos and industry…
From StarTalk. Bill Nye, Chuck Nice, and Casey Dreier discuss the consequences of proposed U.S. budget cuts to NASA’s science programs, particularly in contrast with China’s rapidly expanding space ambitions. Casey explains how the U.S. risks losing leadership in space science and technology—not just to China but also to Europe and Japan—if it continues to…
From StarTalk. Bill Nye, Chuck Nice, and Casey Dreier discuss a recent scientific paper about a rock on Mars analyzed by the Perseverance rover. The rock shows “leopard spot” patterns and carbon-based compounds resembling biosignatures—possible evidence of ancient microbial life. Bill and Casey explain the difficulty of confirming life without contaminating Mars with Earth microbes,…
From StarTalk. Why can’t we run through walls if atoms are mostly empty space? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, Gary O’Reilly, and astrophysicist Charles Liu explore force fields, warp drive, invisibility, and quantum physics behind superhero powers. If Superman swoops in to catch a falling Lois Lane, wouldn’t she hit him like a bug on…
From StarTalk. In this conversation, Bill Nye, Chuck Nice, and Casey Dreier — Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society — discuss NASA’s budget, the political motivations behind funding cuts, and the deeper importance of supporting space exploration. They explore how scientific missions, from studying climate change to launching spacecraft, rely on policy decisions,…
From StarTalk. What is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice break down Mercator projection maps, what great circles are, and how they trace their origins to ancient religious tradition. Is the greatest circle the one we make along the way? Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Great Circles…
From StarTalk. In this conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice respond to a listener’s question about what a vacuum truly is — exploring why fans can’t work in space, how scientists create near-perfect vacuums on Earth, and what “nothing” really means in physics. Tyson expands the concept into deep philosophical territory, discussing virtual particles,…
From StarTalk. What would a four-dimensional being see if it looked at us? In this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice answer fan questions covering higher-dimensional surgery, space elevators, alien intelligence, and colliding galaxies. Could spacetime itself be a cosmic crystal? Could 2D creatures exist, and if so, how would we even know? If…
From StarTalk. In this conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice discuss the second law of thermodynamics and how life on Earth seemingly defies entropy — the natural trend toward disorder. Neil explains that Earth maintains order and complexity because it’s not a closed system; sunlight provides a continuous energy flow that sustains life. He…
From StarTalk. In this conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains to Chuck Nice why lunar eclipses don’t occur every month — the Moon’s orbit is tilted relative to Earth’s orbital plane (the ecliptic), so perfect alignment with the Sun is rare. The discussion then shifts to black holes: Neil describes how they evaporate through Hawking radiation,…
From StarTalk. Should we resist getting old? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice discuss getting older, the meaning of death, and the value of wisdom. How do you plan to age gracefully? Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Getting Older 01:18 – Reliving the Glory Days 04:45 – Learning Every Day 10:41 – The Meaning of Death…
From StarTalk. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Charles Liu explore humanity’s fascination with the undead and the zombie genre as a mirror of our fears about death, biology, and ourselves. They discuss how modern zombie stories—like The Walking Dead and The Last of Us—reflect scientific, existential, and ecological anxieties, from fungal infections and evolution to global…
From StarTalk. What happens when physics meets the big questions of philosophy? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice sit down with Elise Crull, philosopher of physics at CUNY and author of The Einstein Paradox, to explore physics, philosophy, and how thought experiments shape real science. Why did 20th-century physicists like Einstein, Schrödinger, and…
From StarTalk. In this conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Charles Liu explore the cultural and scientific origins of Godzilla and other Japanese monsters, tracing how post–World War II fears of nuclear devastation shaped their creation. They discuss how creatures like Godzilla, Mothra, and Gamera symbolized human anxiety about atomic power and environmental destruction, while also…
From StarTalk. In this conversation between Neil deGrasse Tyson and Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna, they explore how education must evolve in the age of AI and learning management systems (LMS). Dr. Kosmyna argues that teachers worldwide feel lost implementing AI tools and calls for open-source, locally run models instead of corporate partnerships. The discussion expands to…
From StarTalk. Was the universe created by a God? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice discuss The Fine-Tuning Argument, Intelligent Design, and breaks down the different ideations of God. We explore different definitions of God and even Chuck’s past as a preacher. Timestamps: 00:00 – Religious Thinking 04:09 – Is God Just a Receding Pocekt…
From StarTalk. In this conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna discuss the psychological and social risks of integrating AI tools like chatbots into therapy and companionship. They explore how these systems might lead to delusion, emotional dependency, and confusion between human and artificial relationships. Dr. Kosmyna explains that while AI-based therapy is cheaper…