StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries – Origins of the Universe with Janna Levin

How did the universe get to be this way? On this episode of StarTalk, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice unveil some of the subjects covered in the new StarTalk book named after our recurring segment Cosmic Queries. Theoretical cosmologist and Director of Sciences at Pioneer Works, Janna Levin, helps us break down the building blocks of the universe and how it started.

To start things off, you’ll learn what the galaxy is made of, both objects we can see and things we cannot. We take a deep, dark dive into dark matter. How much dark matter is there? Are neutrinos a form of dark matter? Has there always been the same amount of matter and dark matter? Could there be a universe with dark matter that is parallel to ours? Find out why someday dark energy will win over the universe. We discuss why theorizing something undetectable and even unprovable may still be a scientific question.

To kick-off questions from our patrons, we explore the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). What has it enabled us to discover? What has it not discovered yet? Could the LHC make a black hole? You’ll learn about the discovery of the Higgs particle and other elusive objects. We dive into the scientific method physicists use in predicting theories and what physicists really want.

We also explain string theory and the harmonics of subatomic particles, and how there “can’t be nothing.” Learn why nothing isn’t as empty as you imagine and how spacetime is malleable. Is everything in the universe just a point on a string? Discover all that and more, including how quantum mechanics create spacetime, on another exciting episode!

Thanks to our Patrons Sunny Day, Shain Dholakiya, Penny Joy, Ben Miller, Eric Lamont, Fernando Sepulveda, Caleb Nolan, Beverly Bellows, Pedro, and Chris Mank for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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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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[jadecoley]

Janna Levin is my favourite guest! Mind blowing explainations, but still on the edge of being understandable.

[joehebert]

Janna is the black hole rainbow. Energy, knowledge, and presentation skills. Great show.

[louiscirigliano]

Just make Janna a permanent co host. She's awesome and has amazing chemistry with Neil and Chuck.

[marble]

For me this woman is the best guest in StarTalk

[Anti-HyperLinkLPs]

Janna's explanation of untestible thing still being able to be science makes her even more awesome. I always love when she's on the show, she's one of the main returning guests in my mind.

[calapsesathir]

I'm a simple man. I see Janna Levin, I click.

[nickdean]

Janna!!!! All my favorite episodes include her! The three of them should have a monthly get together episode

[SauceGPT]

This guest is very enthusiastic and passionate about her line of work. This episode was a joy to watch

[bluebird]

Meanwhile in the dark matter universe:

"There exists a small but substantial source of gravity in our universe. It's a mysterious anomaly because we can't directly observe it or interact with it, but it accounts for about 5% of the gravity in our universe. We call it "bright matter" because it's analogous to a tiny, lit candle in the middle of a vast, open field at night."

[alexkats]

Janna quoting George Carlin was my favorite moment, she went even higher in my appreciation scale

[petebyrdie]

"So, the Universe is nothing more than one big version of Name That Tune?"
"And this is the one we're in."
The idea that the Universe is a symphony played by an infinite orchestra is satisfyingly poetic.

[nosferatu]

Dearest Neil and Chuck, i hope you guys read this! You guys have no idea how much I LOVE all these videos (that I'm bingin' like crazy this last week) and how much I respect and adore you guys! Anything-Universe fascinated me so much ever since I was a child. Got tonsss of documentaries on dvd (Cosmos of course) plus so many books as well. Speaking of infinity 😍 Keep up these amazing videos! Much love and respect from Amsterdam-Holland

[adlerfg]

Neil, Chuck and Janna are my favorite hosts of Star Talk. Brilliant combo!

[reXdownhamOG]

Janna is such a bright, beautiful and elegant participant; the perfect addition to that StarTalk power duo. That view counter should look like an odometer on a racecar.

[thejoshbtv]

Wherever this place is that Janna is broadcasting from, it is epic.

[dwayneraynard]

I watch all these video's from this channel and I comment on none, but this one was worth a shout out. Really great show. First time I have ever watched Janna, and wanted to say she was awesome!

[irrefudiate]

This, like most everything else going on, is way above my pay grade but I appreciate how the three of them bounce it back and forth until it becomes knowable to me. Janna is exceptional.

[jumpingjelloshot]

I don’t know if Neil will see this or not but I’ve been listening for a while now and I finally bought your book “Letters from an Astrophysicist” today. I wanted to let you know I love it and every word you write or speak sparks so much interest and joy in me that I didn’t know was still there for a while. Thank you

[abdessadaksallam]

it's always a great feeling seeing Janna in star talk, love you from Morocco

[andrelobo]

Janna is a giant spark of light!!! I can't get enought of her, just awsome stuff!!!