How big is the universe? And how do we know? It's a question that puzzled astronomers for centuries. They had no way to measure distance in space - until Henrietta Leavitt showed them how. Henrietta Leavitt was a "computer" in the 19th century, before there were computers, and she made an incredible discovery that would help change the way people thought abo ... Show More
May 29
Could a Peacock and Platypus Be Friends? Mailbag + Joke-ha-thon!
You asked, we answered! In this mailbag episode, we're tackling three big kid questions: why does the ground keep spinning after you stop? Do magnets work in space? And could a peacock and a platypus ever be BFFs? We get answers from real experts, as well as reading your reviews ... Show More
25m 22s
May 15
Pluto and the Planetary Pandemonium - Encore
This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from the past! It’s a scientific controversy of planetary proportions! Is Pluto a planet, or not? You decide, after we present two sides of an epic astronomy argument. Back in 2006, the International Astronomer’s Union voted o ... Show More
24m 2s
Sep 2020
Stars: Twinkling, glowing, giant balls of gas
Those tiny pinpoints of light glittering in the night sky are actually incredibly distant, giant, churning balls of gas. They produce huge quantities of light and heat. In this episode, Mars interviews the biggest star in his eyes: the sun! We also ask astronomer Moiya McTier to ... Show More
36 m
Sep 2022
Cosmic Queries – The Biggest Ideas in the Universe with Sean Carroll
<p>How does physics impact our free will? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic Negin Farsad discuss quantum mechanics, parallel universes, and the theory of everything with theoretical physicist and author of <i>The Biggest Ideas in the Universe</i>, Sean Carroll. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ ... Show More
49m 24s
Nov 2023
Do you know about the science of video games? 👾
In this episode, we'll dive into the fascinating science behind video games. We'll explore how they'll tap into physics, applying Newton’s laws of motion and projectile motion. We'll see how chemistry plays a role, especially when characters mix elements to concoct new potions. T ... Show More
26m 18s