logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2012
28m 13s

Parallel Universes

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Brian Cox and Robin Ince stretch the cage of infinite proportions this week to encompass not just our own universe, but any others that might be lurking out there as well. They'll be joined by QI creator John Lloyd, the Astronomer Royal, Professor Sir Martin Rees, and solar scientist Dr Lucie Green to talk about one of the most tantalising ideas of cosmology, that of parallel universes. Are we inhabiting a universe that is just one of a possibly infinite number of others and how would we ever know? Is this an idea that is destined to remain one of the great scientific thought experiments, and a staple of science fiction, or will science ever progress enough to truly put the idea of multiverses to the test.

Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

Up next
Dec 2025
The North Pole Unwrapped - Russell Kane, Felicity Aston and Lloyd Peck
In this Christmas episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian Cox and Robin Ince head to the North Pole to explore the dazzling science behind the northern lights, the extreme adaptations that help animals - and even Santa Claus - survive the Arctic cold, and how the Earth’s magne ... Show More
42m 22s
Dec 2025
Monkey Business - Robin Dunbar, Dave Gorman and Jo Setchell
In perhaps the monkiest Infinite Monkey Cage episode there’s ever been, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to uncover the secrets of love, lust and friendship in primates. Swinging by to offer a hand (or tail) are evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, anthropologist Jo Setchell, ... Show More
42m 30s
Dec 2025
Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock
Robin Ince and Brian Cox look up to the heavens as they try to ‘de-mistify’ the foggy science of clouds. They’re joined by Cloud Appreciation Society founder Gavin Pretor-Pinney, climate scientist Amanda Maycock, and former weather presenter and drummer Owain Wyn Evans, for a whi ... Show More
42m 24s
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
Cosmic Queries – Multiverses & Wormholes with Brian Cox
<p>What properties are fundamental to the universe? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice take a deep dive into multiverses, inflation theory, wormholes, and quantum entanglement with particle physicist Brian Cox.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watc ... Show More
45m 19s
Mar 2021
Cosmic Queries–Multiverse Madness with Max Tegmark
<p>Do we live in one of many universes? On this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the theory of the multiverse with physicist and author, Prof. Max Tegmark. <strong></strong></p> <p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to thi ... Show More
50m 2s
Mar 2025
Cosmic Queries– Multiverse Madness with Max Tegmark
<p>Do we live in one of many universes? On this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the theory of the multiverse with physicist, author, and professor Max Tegmark. </p><p><i>(Originally Aired March 22, 2021)</i></p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ ... Show More
47m 8s
Dec 2023
Do We Live In A Multiverse?
Izzie Clarke and Dr Becky Smethurst are rounding off 2023 with a biggie. Arguably the biggest of them all. This episode is ALL about the Multiverse. What is it? What does it mean? Does it even exist? A big thank you to Andrew Pontzen from UCL and author of "Universe in a Box" for ... Show More
48m 4s
Mar 2022
The multiverse, alien existence and fit astronauts
Today Dr Lucy and Dr Karl are joined by special guest astrophysicist Professor Geraint Lewis to answer all your questions from around the cosmos. Can you get moonburnt? Could we ever move at the speed of light? How did the big bang happen? What's on the other side of the universe ... Show More
38m 54s
Jun 2023
Cosmic Queries – Mirror, Mirror
<p>Are entangled particles connected by wormholes? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer a grab bag of questions about the Fermi Paradox, Dinosaurs v. Aliens, our cosmological horizon, and more! </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entir ... Show More
43m 55s
Apr 2023
Cosmic Queries – Understanding Infinity with Stephon Alexander
<p>What is infinity? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Negin Farsad explore whether we are in a finite universe, the issues with infinity, string theory, and more with theoretical physicist Stephon Alexander. </p><p><a href="https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-understand ... Show More
45m 33s
Dec 2017
Cosmic Queries: Mysterious Cosmology, with Sean Carroll
<p>String theory, the fabric of spacetime, the multiverse, quantum mechanics, and much more – explore the cosmological mysteries of the universe with Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and theoretical physicist Sean Carroll.<br />NOTE: StarTalk All-Access subscribers ... Show More
48m 36s
Dec 2022
Cosmic Queries – Holographic Universe & Quasars with Charles Liu
<p>Is our universe inside a black hole? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer questions about wormholes, quasars, white holes, and more with astrophysicist Charles Liu. What would a wormhole look like to us? </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can li ... Show More
44m 17s
Jan 2024
Cosmic Queries – A Ripple in Spacetime with Charles Liu
<p>What if time had multiple dimensions? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly answer grab-bag questions about Hawking Radiation, the speed of light, and how rare black holes are with astrophysicist Charles Liu. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to ... Show More
53m 27s