Neil deGrasse Tyson & Matt O’Dowd Discuss Their Favorite Scientific Discoveries

Is space infinitely stretchable? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore fan grab bag questions about supermassive black holes, Planck lengths, and the gravitational wave background with extragalactic astrophysicist and host of PBS Space Time, Matt O’Dowd.

Neil and Matt compare notes on science communicating on the internet. Learn why Neil would choose death by black hole and how falling into a supermassive black hole would be different from falling into a regular one. Could you communicate what happens on the inside?

Learn about the discovery of gravitational lenses, quasars, The Einstein Cross, and whether dark energy is changing over time. Will we find out what dark energy is in our lifetime? Could we zoom in on matter indefinitely? Is there such a thing as the smallest particle? We break down a Planck length, cosmological inflation, and whether space is infinitely stretchy. What happens to all the gravitational waves? Discover the gravitational wave background, how to find it, and what it could tell us about the universe.

Is there a correlation between the space compressed by black holes and the rate of expansion? We also discuss the mystery of the early universe uncovered by JWST. How do supermassive black holes form? Do we have any black hole clusters? Learn how NuSTAR will help us track the movements of black holes. Plus, does every object have an event horizon?

Thanks to our Patrons Nick Francis, nick lopez, John deLeo, Jeff Otis, Deano F, Ekam Khaira, and Jeffrey Tallcott for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can 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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00:00 - Introduction: Matt O’Dowd
02:40 - Neil & Matt Compare Science Communicator Notes
7:12 - What Could You Learn From Falling Into a Black Hole?
14:51 - The Discovering Gravitational Lenses
18:38 - What Will We Discover in the Future?
21:32 - Is The Universe Infinitely Stretchy?
26:08 - Gravitational Wave Background: Can Gravitational Waves Explain Expansion?
32:15 - Is There a Correlation Between Black Holes and Expansion?
35:29 - What Is Filling in the Gaps of Expansion?
38:35 - How Could Massive Galaxies Formed So Early?
41:48 - What Happens at the Event Horizon?

[StarTalk]

What's your favorite scientific discovery?

[Hoganply]

Regular viewer of PBS SpaceTime. Essential viewing for science-lovers.

[oatkungar]

The ultimate cross-over yet. Been a fan of PBS Spacetime for such a long time.

[alanjackson]

Wish you would do ONE letter from a kid in each Cosmic Query, non-patron per episode. These kids will never forget this, and the boost to their life long love of learning and science will be incalculable

[jppagetoo]

I asked Dr. Tyson a question by email many years ago. Long before YouTube was a thing like it is today. He forwarded my question to another person who answered it. A well qualified person. I was surprised that I got an answer at all, but he made sure that I did.

[josepalacid]

Don't be mistaken by Chuck's persona. He is an incredibly wise and smart brain who surely would be able to discuss and teach most edge science matters. Add that fast ability to create gags about every situation. Kudos to you, Sir.

[rajdeeppatel]

PBS Spacetime with Matt. That's where the live ongoing story of physics, is. There was an era, It was either PBS Spacetime or PDFs in my spare time.

[ventusvero]

44:55 Nicely done Matt! That is the most gangster scientific answer I've seen this year! Informative, concise, on topic!

[jacobshick]

The patience Matt exhibits in this 50 minutes is truly commendable

[LMarti]

i LOVE Matt's face as Neil is describing how he would communicate while falling into a black hole. I've made that face countless times while undergoing an enormous internal struggle about whether to correct someone or be polite

[iamlsusam]

Neil’s best quality is his enthusiasm and joy of the science.

[skahtty]

This is the astrophysics crossover we always needed

[LSA]

Chuck lecturing the kids that sent the handwritten letters is hilarious!😂

[MissesWitch]

ohh that's the guy from PBS Spacetime!

my favourite science channel!

[Rbobbe]

This episode of Star Talk should be nominated for an Emmy. The shortest 50 minutes of my life!

[svoidsofinfinitechaos]

Niel’s statement about avoiding the galactic center is even better when you remember that it’s referred to as the “zone of avoidance” by astronomers. This was a great episode and the explanation of direct collapse black holes was enlightening.

[vadymkvasha]

Yeah, I'm exited to see Matt here, I'd like you to invite him more often!
P.S. And Charles Liu also)

[EtherealFujin]

Chuck and Niel are literally my favorite people in the world. Love you guys so much dude. Thank you for everything Neil and Chuck

[cele]

Before I start watching i gotta say, my favourite guest so far!

[bateenuchiha]

Leave it to neil to entertain all of us with science, this man is gold