The Fabric of Spacetime with Neil deGrasse Tyson – Cosmic Queries

Is it time to rethink string theory? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore a mix of questions about the fundamental properties of the universe, particles, the speed of light and more!

Could we someday observe particles without smashing them? We take a question from a particle pacifist as well as discover why clouds stay up. Is everything actually floating? We discuss the mystery of electrons: how small are they really? We explore JWST and ponder the problem of primordial galaxies. What does this discovery change about our understanding of the universe?

Is space an emergent property of the universe and not fundamental? Find out how quantum entanglement may weave the fabric of spacetime and why it may be time to rethink string theory. We discuss time dilation while traveling to Mars, what to do when you have an untestable hypothesis, and how Einstein tested the equivalence principle.

Why are photons always moving at the speed of light? What is time like at the speed of light? Learn about the solar neutrino problem and how neutrinos decay. We also explore the dimensionality of parallel lines and how they can, in fact, intersect. All that and more on a another Grab Bag Cosmic Queries!

Thanks to our Patrons Jagan, Stephen Abraham, Dalton Gordon, Brent C, Alexander Miller, t K, and Bob Morrison for supporting us this week.

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

About the prints that flank Neil in this video:

FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk:

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!

#StarTalk #neildegrassetyson

00:00 - Grab Bag Time
00:45 - Could We Observe Particles Intact Without Particle Accelerators?
3:50 - If Gravity Pulls Everything Down, How Do Clouds Stay Up?
09:54 - Is “Particle” a Placeholder Name?
12:50 - Could JWSTs Primordial Galaxies be a Window Into Another Universe?
18:35 - Why Do We Think Space Is Emergent and Not Fundamental?
24:55 - Time Dilation & Traveling to Mars
28:54 - If String Theory is so Unprovable, Why Are We Still Trying to Prove It?
37:32 - If a Photon is a Particle, Can't it Just Sit Still? Why is it Always Moving at the Speed of Light?
42:37 - Parallel Lines in the Fourth Dimension

[StarTalk]

What are your thoughts on string theory? Is it still worth trying to prove it, or should we refocus our efforts on other scientific questions?

[williamdeangellodavis]

Never take chuck off the show😭I’m begging you guys 🙏🏾🌼

[joseimpact]

startalk literally makes my day better instantly

[GEEK-]

Neil and Chuck are National Treasures, please never stop making these videos

[alexaales]

i really like the fact that Neil considers himself my personal astro physicist. thank you for that, Neil, you've got the job any day of my life! much love from Germany!

[duanemorgan]

Somedays I have to rewatch the shows at least three times to grasp most of what Neil was saying, God bless you Chuck don’t know how you keep up with Neil so easily

[tcfwmss]

Me: New episode of ST - YES!!
Cosmic Query Edition - YES!!
My cohost Chuck Nice -
Its a guaranteed banger

[chrisnel]

Love this show, love his teaching style, whereas if every teacher possessed his ability to engage i would be a lifetime willing learner.

[crewrangergaming]

the moment Chuck figures out Neutrinos don't travel at the speed of light. Damn man!! Love his energy and enthusiasm.

[TheFlyingstop]

My brain hurts. I'll have to watch it again and again and again ….. No gain without any pain. Thanks guys loving it.

[vikineo]

This series needs like a billion views. Extremely interesting

[mujigikabugi]

Who is here that has realized that Lord Chuck could be taking some lessons/classes in Theoretical physics or experimental physics? Damn, the guy is so sharp nowadays and knowledgeable. Indeed birds that flock together stay together. Kudos Chuck, , ,

[rangerCG]

Thanks for answering my question about particles guys!!! That's an amazing answer! My wife and I were listening to the show in the car and when Chuck read my name, which we weren't expecting at all, we were just listening to an episode of Startalk, we looked at each other and freaked out😂😂😂

[qrffrwk]

I appreciate all the help time and attention you've both given us as viewers, seriously 😣 without limits for thought. Ty

[masonkeener]

When I have nothing I still have startalk. It’s a breath of fresh air to see people thinking outside of the boundaries of thought that it feels like we were meant to be trapped in. My brain only feels free during these times. Between thinking about work and my small family this is a light for me and I will be forever great full

[pjganguly]

The best thing to start a day with!! Meditative, contemplative and so much fun even for the science layman with a curious mind!! Thanks team Startalk!!

[LEDewey_MD]

What an AWESOME episode of StarTalk!! You guys covered everything from String Theory, General Relativity along with the Equivalence Principle, geometry of space-time, why orbits are elipses (and not circles), science of neutrinos and their differences from electrons, evolution of the Universe...(did I miss anything?) You can all go home now having solved all of physics! :D

[PrestonSmithsMusic]

That was great, thanks guys! Keep up the fantastic work! I LOVED those questions. The answers were amazing, well delivered, and I appreciate Doctor Chuck's childlike wonder on many of those! Cheers!

[skeller]

Great episode! One thing you could also say about clouds are that they are made up of very small particles of water, each of which is buoyant enough to follow air currents. However, when these collect together they form drops of rain or snowflakes that are ‘heavy’ enough to be affected by gravity and fall. In cumulonimbus clouds, sometimes the updraft of air is so severe that hail that is falling is sent back up to gain size. That’s why you occasionally hear of ‘softball’ sized hail. The forces in thunderstorms are amazing.

[billbaker]

Thank you gentlemen for another educational and entertaining episode. Chuck, the Cajun chef to whom you refer is probably Justin Wilson. He was indeed on PBS back in the days when dinosaurs walked the earth (I know because I too was there) and was also entertaining and educational in all manner of food.