Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Mercury in Retrograde

Mercury is in Retrograde. What does that mean for you, if it means anything at all? Neil deGrasse Tyson is here to help you understand what it all means. Alongside comic co-host Chuck Nice, we take a trip back in time to understand why this phrase has survived since the reign of the ancient Greeks.

Discover what is actually happening when a planet goes into retrograde. You’ll learn what the world was like before the scientific method was widely used and how the implementation of experimentation and hypothesis catapulted civilization forward. We trace our understanding of the planets from a time where humans thought Earth was at the center of the universe. Find out why the ancient Greeks referred to planets as wanderers when they first discovered them.

You’ll hear why the foundations of astrology have no justification in a scientifically literate and modern world. Then, we investigate why humans are in such need to have things explained. All that, plus, Neil shares why it takes a lot of hubris to think the universe actually cares about you.

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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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0:00 - Introduction
1:03 - The World Prior To A Scientific Method
3:44 - Where We Get The Word 'Planet'
5:04 - What Is Retrograde?
9:16 - Why Astrology References Retrograde
10:41 - Humans' Need For Meaning
17:36 - Closing Notes

[tjentertainmentstudio]

Neil, you're an amazing instructor. Please don't ever die.

[michaelsaxton]

Dr. Tyson. Your choice of wall art is impeccable. Outstanding move.

[rlsdgamechat]

instead of telling someone see you another day could we all start saying see you next rotation.

[lekanswansons]

My kids will watch old cartoons and Neild Degrasse Tyson every day growing up.

[bullettube]

I love it when these guys get together! They take a seemingly complicated question and break it down into simple answers.

[jerroncrowder]

That train analogy was quite genius and informative. Neil thank you sir

[michaelfraley]

When he explained where the name planet came from, my mind just exploded.

[thebassrogue]

I love how this channel teaches science in a light-hearted and spirituous manner... So that dumdums like me can be interested and understand

[_Jude-St.-Francis_]

These talks keep me up all night!
Wondering,
Dreaming,
Imagining.

[Geez]

Watch this 3 times to be sure I didn't miss anything. I can listen to Mr Tyson all day.

[Duececoupe]

Wooohoooo....became a Patreon yesterday! Happy days! Lunch is on me fellas! 🍕🍻

[JeanVermeersch]

I love how Chuck is always faking super well the surprise when Neil is explaining to him for the 15th time that wanderer in ancient greek is said "Planetes" 👍🏻😁

[enricocurcio]

Neil: It was 7 planets and lost 2 so now it's 6
me: What... well he might be right, and in the end... HE WAS, i love u man.

[quahntasy]

*These guys are at it again*

Love these talks. Keep em coming please.

[aaronseet]

"It is human to err. It is more human to blame it on others." ~ carving on random coffee shop table

[sirinorthpaw]

Thank you for making me feel insignificant and that I cause all my problems...



No but seriously this was super interesting. And inspiring

[anthonypawelek]

Ok I understand what you're saying but my question is when Mercury is in retrograde how much toilet paper and paper towel do I need to buy?

[rebecatimoteojb]

NEILL YOU'RE SO FUNNY I LOVE ASTROPHYSICS BECAUSE OF YOU

[stelioscharalambides]

To the one dislike the video has while I'm watching: I don't know who you are. I don't know why you watched. I know you believe in astrology and I'm sorry you got upset about the video. I'm also sorry you believe in astrology. Humans are better than that

[ORagnar]

Interestingly, it was Aristotle who had the idea of the scientific method. He had the idea of going by the facts, formulating hypotheses, and testing them through logic against the facts and continuing the cycle. He also had the idea of finding principles of operation, i.e. essentials. That is, the idea of "without which not, " which means what particular things give rise to this thing. John Herman Randall wrote a book titled "Aristotle, " that describes this, published circa 1960.

Aristotle also talked about testing ideas out against reality. I don't know how that squares with his ideas on physics. It is true that if you drop a feather it will fall more slowly than a rock, so perhaps air resistance was what made it difficult to figure out.