logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2012
28m 15s

The Science of Symmetry

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy, science journalist Adam Rutherford and comic book legend Alan Moore to discuss why symmetry seems such a pervasive phenomenon throughout our universe, and possibly beyond. The world turns on symmetry -- from the spin of subatomic particles to the structure of the natural world, through to the molecules that make up life itself. They'll be asking why symmetry seems so ubiquitous and whether the key to Brian's large female fanbase is down to his more than usually symmetrical face.

Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

Up next
Aug 20
Illuminating Light - Jess Wade, Russell Foster and Bridget Christie
What is light? How has it shaped our understanding of the universe, our biology, and even our culture? In this illuminating episode Brian Cox and Robin Ince shine a spotlight on the fascinating science and history of light. From sun and circadian rhythms to the dazzling complexit ... Show More
42m 23s
Aug 13
Moths v Butterflies - Katy Brand, Jane Hill and Chris Jiggins
What really separates a moth from a butterfly? Is it just a matter of day and night, or is there more to this fluttering feud than meets the eye? Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince flap into the fabulous world of Lepidoptera with Professor Jane Hill, Professor Chris Jiggins, and ... Show More
42m 8s
Aug 6
Technofossils - Sarah Gabbott, Mark Miodownik and Aurie Styla
Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig deep into the strata of an imagined human history to unearth the curious concept of technofossils. Joined by paleobiologist Sarah Gabbott, material scientist Mark Miodownik and comedian and tech enthusiast Aurie Styla the panel unearth how the everyda ... Show More
42m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
#450: Dark Matter Debate, Flawed Maths & Spinning Black Holes
This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you by Incogni...looking after your online privacy with no hassles. To check out our special Space Nuts deal, visit www.incogni.com/spacenuts Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in this thought-provoking Q&A episode of Space Nuts ... Show More
26m 49s
Oct 2024
486. The Intersection of Science and Meaning | Dr. Brian Greene
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with physicist and author, Dr. Brian Greene. They discuss the strange conceptualization of “before” the Big Bang, how time might be a microscopic phenomenon, how order existed at the point of the universe's creation, what would happen if you fell ... Show More
1h 27m
May 2024
Sean Carroll Explains Quantum Field Theory
Sean Carroll is creating a profoundly new approach to sharing physics with a broad audience, one that goes beyond analogies to show how physicists really think. He cuts to the bare mathematical essence of our most profound theories, explaining every step in a uniquely accessible ... Show More
1h 15m
Jul 11
Desperately Seeking Symmetry
This hour of Radiolab, former co-hosts Jad and Robert set out in search of order and balance in the world around us, and ask how symmetry shapes our very existence -- from the origins of the universe, to what we see when we look in the mirror.Along the way, we look for love in an ... Show More
57m 23s
Apr 2024
Tackling The Three-Body Problem
Netflix has a big new show named after and inspired by a classic problem in astrophysics, 'The Three Body Problem', where predicting the course and orbits of three or more celestial bodies proves near impossible.But how faithful is the Netflix show - and original novel - to the a ... Show More
8m 58s
May 5
K2-18b, Gravitons & The Comet Conundrum: A Cosmic Q&A
Sponsor Details: Insta360 X5 Camera. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "spacenuts", available for the first 30 standard package purchases only.NordVPN: To get the special SpaceNuts discount de ... Show More
38m 8s
Aug 16
164. Unravelling the Universe, Again
More than two decades ago, Adam Riess’s Nobel Prize-winning work fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. His new work is reshaping cosmology for a second time. RESOURCES:Adam Riess, astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University. SOURCES:"The Nobel Prize Winner Who T ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2024
The Updated Physics of Black Holes with Steve Balbus & Andrew Mummery
What’s happening just outside a black hole? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Gary O’Reilly travel to Oxford University to explore the mysterious universe of black holes, their accretion disks, magnetic fields, and the impact they have on the world around them with astrophysicist S ... Show More
46m 19s
Sep 2024
The Astounding Mysteries Of The Self & Universe | Physicist Nassim Haramein#470
Nassim Haramein, with over 35 years of research, seeks to unravel the universe's mysteries through interdisciplinary work in physics, mathematics, and cosmology. His groundbreaking theories aim to unify our understanding by integrating forces and constants in physics, offerin ... Show More
2h 43m
Nov 2024
Supermassive numbers
Russia has fined Google more than two undecillion rubles, which is more than 20 decillion dollars. How much you ask? 20 decillions is a 20 with 33 zeros behind it, more money than there is in the entire world!This unpayable fine inspired us to look at extremely large numbers, fro ... Show More
49m 29s