Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains “The Sunset Illusion”

In this StarTalk Radio explainer video, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are exploring what’s really going on when you watch those beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

To start, you’ll get a refresher on how the days of the week were named. Then, we discuss our pre-Copernican vocabulary to describe what’s going on in the sky. You’ll learn how refraction and our atmosphere impact sunrise and sunset. Neil tells us why, when you think you’re watching the sunset or sunrise, the sun is already past the point you're seeing. Neil also tells us how telescopes can calculate refractive effects when looking at stars.

Then, you’ll learn why the equinox is not actually the day where there’s an equal amount of night and day. Lastly, find out how light would interact with Earth if it were a black hole. All that, plus, Neil and Chuck discuss other “ghosts of the sky.”

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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!

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[SwtGmer]

Mom: Time to wake up, the sun has risen.

Me: Just wait five more minutes.

[skyraider]

One of the coolest things I have ever experienced, is watching the sun set 4 times in one evening.
I was in my plane, watched the sun set started climbing hard, and the sun came back over the horizon, did it 3 times.

[alexzandermorgan]

No matter how depressed I get, two minutes of Star Talk and I’m laughing.

[jdabo]

I love the fact that Chuck is part of this show because he is the perfect proxy for the audience

[RWBHere]

Tyson is a brilliant educator, who understands illustrations, timing, the use of gestures, vocal modulation, etc, as valuable aids to teaching. He's worth watching and listening to carefully for those fine qualities. 
Chuck makes a pretty good foil, reflecting the thoughts of a child who is learning from him. The humour doesn't quite translate internationally, but that doesn't matter so much, because Neil is busy teaching viewers and listeners in ways that they will remember the information. 
The two of you make a good team. 
Thanks for this video. It's the first one I've watched from this channel.🙂👍

[whisweasley]

Man I love the chemistry between you two!

[andrewedis]

Chuck is such a great co host. Watching him absorb these words of wisdom is a joy to behold.

[braddsn]

It's rare, and magical when you have 2 hosts with perfect chemistry. It makes or breaks a program. These guys have it. It's just as entertaining as it is educational. Doesn't get any better!

[denadean]

I love how he breaks everything down in such way that anyone can have a full conceptual understanding!❤❤❤

[jordanlee]

Wish I had him as a teacher!!! I could listen to him talk all day.

[whitecat]

Neil: Are you winning sun?

Sun: "no dad refraction is lagging my light speed to reach human eyes"

[AtlasNYC_]

I never liked Math in grade school. Never in high school. Somehow in my adult years I've grown to love and see just how COOL physics and Astro physics is lol

[joshk]

Neil: "fake sunset and sunrise"

FlatEarthers: *TRIGGERED*

[lhemlockl]

On a need to know basis. I love it. In my field of work I am the same way. You teach what needs to be known and get more in depth the more people try to actually learn and show a willingness to learn.

[myhkeith]

this is my favorite duo collab 😭😭 y’all tg is so funny ong

[myjunkykarma]

'Poem'.. "Sun you're a liar!" and yet you inspire, Dreams of men that inquire, the knowledge in your fire. 😊

[twinklesingh]

“You are never actually looking at what you are looking it” that’s so true!!!! Star talk is so informative in an entertaining way love it ❤️

[birdmadgrrrl]

Neil DeGrasse Tyson reciting the Moody Blues Nights in White Satin. BE STILL MY HEART. 😍😍😍

[brucerogermorgan]

I'm just really discovering these videos, and they are awesome! Thank you, Neil and Chuck, I'm enjoying your videos immensely.

[vincentmarquez]

When he said you could be seeing the light that was there billions of years ago gave literal chills