How We Know The Universe is Ancient

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The universe is precisely 13.8 billion year old - or so our best scientific methods tell us. But how do you learn the age of the universe when there’s no trace left of its beginnings?

Hosted by Matt O'Dowd
Written by Dan Falk & Matt O'Dowd
Graphics by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, & Pedro Osinski
Directed by: Andrew Kornhaber
Camera Operator: Bahaar Gholipour
Executive Producers: Eric Brown & Andrew Kornhaber

#space #astrophysics #cosmology

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[pbsspacetime]

Hey Space Timers! Due to some Corona related issues, we had a challenging time getting this episode ready and we ultimately left out the on screen credit for our very valued Patreon Supporters. So we'd like to give our Patreon supporters a top comment shoutout and let everyone know that regular on screen credit will return next week.


Big Bang Supporters
Alexander Tamas
David Nicklas
Fabrice Eap
Juan Benet
Morgan Hough
Radu Negulescu


Quasar Supporters
Christina Oegren
Mark Heising
Vinnie Falco


Hypernova Supporters
Chuck Zegar
Danton Spivey
Donal Botkin
Edmund Fokschaner
Hank S
John Hofmann
John Pollock
John R. Slavik
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Mathew
Matthew O'Connor
Matthew Ryan
Syed Ansar
Timothy McCulloch
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[laurachapple]

In the alternate universe where Matt is a cook instead of a physicist, his show is called "Spice Time."

[andrewwright]

If we were to discover definitive proof that the universe were significantly older than we currently believe, which of our assertions about the universe would most likely be to blame for the miscalculation?

[robsmitha]

The universe was smaller and hotter when it was young, weren't we all?

[bariumselenided]

Given how mind-glowingly far away galaxies are, I kinda like Kant’s characterization of them as island universes

[taotaostrong]

Wow. I remember when it was only 13.7 Billion years old. They grow up so fast!

[larryfulkerson]

if the human race ever does get to be space fairing and be able to visit other worlds, let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

[OctorokSushi]

I feel kinda cheesy making a comment like this because of course everyone appreciates these videos, but I do want to say thank you for taking the time to make these. Of course thank you to the awesome people supporting on Patreon too. Space stuff has always brightened my day and I feel like I've learned a lot from these videos, I really appreciate it.

[Antares]

Easy: just cut the universe down and count the rings!

[connorm]

Could you guys do an episode on the nature of time, and the theories about it? Love from Australia, hope you are staying safe Matt.

[Purriah]

1.99m subs. Almost to 2m! Congrats Matt, and everyone behind the scenes!

[ikeekieeki]

the history of things being named by those who intended to mock such things is wild

[paulpeterson]

Speaking about the history of the universe, Matt O'Dowd says "Long story short." Got to love the way he just leaves irony on the floor waiting for someone to pick it up.

[universemaps]

Thanks for using my image on the thumbnail! I'm glad it's useful! Awesome content PBS Space Time as always!

[VaughanMcAlley]

Probably my favourite moment from back in the day when Adam Spencer & Wil Anderson did breakfast radio:
Adam: The universe is 13.8 billion years old.
Wil: *sings* Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you… should we get it a present?
Adam: What do you get the universe that has everything?

[georgehugh]

_"How do you learn the age of the universe when there's no trace left of its beginnings?"_
*You count the Birthday Candles!*

[DeGebraaideHaan]

How We Know The Universe is Ancient... Just look at the greyness and greatness of Matt's beard.

[EMW_Music]

I just want to take a moment and thank PBS Space Time for not putting 5+ ads within one video like a lot of other YouTubers.

[kfjw]

"Vesto Slipher" sounds like a supervillain name.

[dontforgetyoursunscreen]

For all creationists the first structures humans built date back 12, 000 years & are older than any of your estimates