Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains How Aliens Are Named

What would people from venus be called? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice hash out what organisms from each planet would be called.

What are people from Earth called? Learn how we name exoplanets and what we might call people from the moons of Saturn. We work our way through each planet (and dwarf planet) and explore what organisms from there would be called.

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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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00:00 - What are we called?
02:20 - Other planets
05:45 - Venus & Venerial
08:50 - Naming Exoplanets
10:00 - Europa

[StarTalk]

What's a better name for Terrans?

[justdoit]

I overheard a co-worker's conversation today. "Where you from?" "I'm from Nepal". " Does that make you Napoleon?". Couldn't hold me laughter. 😆

[rlh]

I like how Neil says “stop” while he’s laughing at something inappropriate Chuck says.

[L-STizZL]

Hey Neil!! Whoever has been making the last few videos has done a amazing job! With the cuts to high quality footage, the music, it was perfect! Please keep making them like that!!! It makes the video just THAT much better! Thank you!

[kenkurogue]

Was always confused in sci-fi stuff that alien creatures would call us Terrans. I always thought "wouldn't they call us something based on what their astronomers called out planet?".

[andrewbrinkworth]

I love these 2 together they are legends lol whenever they have conversations it is never a dull moment lol I love it.... I love the information but I love the chemistry and laughter that comes along with it lol

[toreadoress]

@10:16 that's why I love Chuck so much, as an European I almost chocked to death from laughing.

[mikotagayuna]

Back when the 9th planet was being speculated, H.P. Lovecraft preemptively called Pluto "Yuggoth" in his writings. He imagined its inhabitants to be fungal crustaceans.

[vrus_one]

“Sorry, Venus… We’ve got the test back!” -Chuck 😂😂😂

[leodraco]

Here in Brazil we use the Word Terra for Earth, so basically Terrans or in portuguese Terráqueo make more sense than Earthling for portuguese countries

[stathisg]

I am afraid first contact will be something like:
- Greetings Terran
- Oh I'm sorry, did you assume my planet?

[garywitter]

You guys should go on tour, this is hilarious stuff

[lexy]

Another fun sci-fi thing is that, in the various series of Gundam anime, it's all humans, but the humans who live on Earth are often called 'Earthians, ' while those who colonized space are called 'Spacians.' So it's not always just 'Earthlings' or 'Terrans!'

[stcenturyscots]

Best video I saw this year so far. Prease make part 2.

[MarkieMark]

Mr Wells, in his book, referred to the inhabitants of our moon as, Selenites. I've always liked that term.

[michelazzo]

Oh man, I can't get enough of you guys. Thank you so much for putting it together ❤

[rachelrobinson]

Neil deGrasse Tyson is so wonderful. I so appreciate his humor in teaching us. I just love him! We need all the people with the big brains teaching the rest of us.

[Luna_Christine]

Me, growing up seeing Neil as wholesome, now I’ve grown up, I see he’s just as twisted as me…

[ShawnRavenfire]

I remember reading in a comic book (I forget which one) where the aliens called us "Earthens, " and I just thought that made way more sense.

[xliquidflames]

I actually knew someone with the last name Cockburn. So, a long time ago, during middle school, I think, I wrote a sci-fi short story for English class. I had a character from Venus named Abstinence Cockburn.

_As they sat around the table discussing their plans, the Venusian Abstinence Cockburn slipped in through a side door and sat down at the head of the table._

My English teacher was not amused, if I remember correctly. Then again, this was 25 years ago so I could be remembering this all wrong.

But now that I know the correct name is Venerians, it makes my joke even better. My character would be the Venerian Abstinence Cockburn ...sitting at the _head_ of the table.