JWST has turned the Crisis in Cosmology into a bigger problem | Night Sky News August 2024

00:00 Introduction
00:52 Six planets visible at the end of August
02:16 Orion returns
02:34 Saturn opposition
03:12 Supermoon in September
04:26 Partial Lunar eclipse September
05:38 AD | Brilliant
07:07 Boeing Starliner update
09:05 Vera Rubin Observatory secondary mirror installed
10:27 Water reservoirs underground on Mars
13:34 Crisis in Cosmology: recap
21:48 JWST and the Crisis in Cosmology - new research from Freedman et al.
30:56 Bloopers

Video filmed on a Sony ⍺7 IV
Video edited by Jonny Hyman

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👩🏽‍💻 I'm Dr. Becky Smethurst, an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford (Christ Church). I love making videos about science with an unnatural level of enthusiasm. I like to focus on how we know things, not just what we know. And especially, the things we still don't know. If you've ever wondered about something in space and couldn't find an answer online - you can ask me! My day job is to do research into how supermassive black holes can affect the galaxies that they live in. In particular, I look at whether the energy output from the disk of material orbiting around a growing supermassive black hole can stop a galaxy from forming stars.

[louisreinitz]

I'm reminded of the old joke "The man with one clock, knows what time it is. The man with two clocks is never sure"

[tomkelley]

Astrophysics: “We have solved the crisis in cosmology.”
The Crisis in Cosmology: “And I took that personally.”

[dennismiller]

Me sitting down with popcorn to listen to more content on the crisis in cosmology

[Jkesler]

I just want to say how awesome this episode was put together. The fact that you went through the new mirror and how the size matters for the resolution of things at extreme distance, which then helped to explain the crisis in cosmology... it all flowed very well. Nice!

Edit: "My favorite toenail"

[ozzy]

Then there's always the possibility that both the distances AND the current model of the universe are wrong 😂.

[bimblinghill]

I'm so grateful to you and Fraser Cain for taking us all into the 'crisis in cosmology' so we can experience the cracking of a major scientific mystery as it happens. It feels like a real privilege.

[bakerjd]

In my opinion you are the finest science communicator on YouTube and some of your peers are excellent as well. Sagan would be delighted so many have taken up his mantle.

[thirstfast]

I want to say a huge _THANK YOU_ for your information on the Perseids meteor shower last month. I planned a trip around the peak, and it was one of the most spectacular nights of viewing I've experienced! Not so much just the meteors (I counted 22 in a span of ~2hrs, and they were amazing) but the auroras that covered the entire sky at some times, and were occasionally shades of red! It was magical, and I wouldn't have been there if I hadn't watched your video, so thank you so much once again! Cheers Becky!

[yrobtsvt]

I listen to the crisis in cosmology intro section every time to make sure I understand it 😂

[vdivanov]

Fascinating... Schools throughout should invite Dr. Becky for guest lectures/talks. Heck, even secondary/high schools. She can inspire so many young people to pursue science. Thanks again!

[yuvalne]

even in space, Boeing knows how to disappoint

[krumplethemal]

Now you are just toying with my emotions..
Crisis..
Solution..
Crisis back..
Another solution..
Crisis in cosmology: "Knock knock, I am baaAAck."

[theswiv]

Of course there's water on Mars.
I watched Arnie in Total Recall back in the day.

[alexandermarsteller]

The dispute about the crisis in cosmology is a classic case of "don't trust any statistic you haven't forged yourself". Working at the edge of statistical significance is always in issue in my opinion as it becomes very important what the exact process of assigning an uncertainty is in order for that number to support the claim you purport it to do.

[randy]

Let’s hope Sunita and Barry can get home safe and soon! Always enjoy your upcoming astronomy info and do my best to follow the rest. Love your presentation enthusiasm!

[JamaicaWhiteMan]

On how much light a full moon can cast in a dark, rural location - I'm in Jamaica, so the moon crosses overhead not that far from the zenith compared to Canada or Europe. The winter full moons are always very high, especially around the solstice, and several times I've hiked out of the bush at night after bat fieldwork without bothering to use my headlamp. It's magical. All black and silvery white, no colours.

[richardjackson]

Becky you make a difficult subject easier to understand for the great uneducated gaggle such as I. Thanks for taking time to explain it!

[OraC]

two passengers set sail that day,
for an eight day tour,
an eight day tour.

[void]

Boeing says it is safe is the definition of a flight halt warning.

[TheSkystrider]

Ohhh I really like the sunlight on you! This makes me think way more YouTubers should record during the day with sunlight!