Alien Sightings with David Spergel

About This Episode

Are alien spacecraft here on Earth? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice discuss the UAP hearings, unexplained cosmic phenomena, dark matter, and more with astrophysicist and NASA UAP chair David Spergel.

David reveals what it’s like to investigate UFOs scientifically, explaining why most sightings turn out to be lens flares or misidentified objects— but also why the 1% of unexplained events still intrigue researchers. Learn how smartphones and apps could revolutionize data collection, making it easier to authenticate and analyze potential UAP sightings. Plus, discover why phenomena like ball lightning and lightning sprites were initially dismissed, only to be explained later with better technology.

Switching gears, Neil and David dive into dark matter and energy. Learn how groundbreaking tools like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and collaborations with ESA’s Euclid mission aim to answer fundamental questions about the universe.  We discuss computational astrophysics and the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. From UFOs to cutting-edge astrophysics, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at the mysteries of the universe.

Thanks to our Patrons David Anderson, Paul Balchin, Gary Droege, Antonin Bukovsky, Bill Bailey, Nathan Ramsey, Allan Schwartz, Tom Voyles, Curt Helvey, Walquiria Fontanez, Peg & Rick, Brandon, DJ Thuggy, Lorenzo Olivera, James Cobb, devon, Peter Čerešník, Rick, VICTOR HERNANDEZ, Pohev, Terry Burke, Barbara Guerra-Torres, Tyler Provencher, and Mariann for supporting us this week.

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