Cosmic Queries – Cosmic Grab Bag

About This Episode

Do black holes evaporate? What’s really happening at SpaceX? What is dark gravity? On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are answering fan-submitted Cosmic Queries covering topics all across the universe. 

To kick things off, Neil and Chuck investigate dark gravity and dark energy. Could dark energy be leftover energy from an evaporated black hole? We explore how black holes eventually disappear. Neil enlightens us about the “five ages of the universe.” We ponder if dark matter or dark energy could predate the universe itself. Neil tells us why galaxies are found where dark matter has collected them.

You’ll hear why radio waves are the preferred contact method to chat with aliens. We dive into conspiracy theories and why humans are susceptible to believing in them. Discover more about “dark-sky ordinances” and how light pollution impacts telescopes. Neil shares an example of a city and observatory working together to create less light pollution. 

Are the sizes of planets proportional to the distance between planets? We discuss the gravitational influences of planets on each other. We also discuss how many light years you would have to travel in order to see the Roman battles taking place on Earth. If time is a coordinate, why can’t we move back and forth in time? We take a look at predeterminism. 

Lastly, we explore the science of Superman. What would happen if something made the Earth rotate in the opposite direction like in Superman. Neil reminisces on his star-turn in a Superman comic. All that, plus, you’ll learn how Neil found an actual home for Krypton. 

Thanks to our Patrons Jennifer Sell-Knapp, Chris Reynolds, Adam Cook, Taylor Brandt, Carlene Goodbody, Kayla Moon, Daniel Sindi, and David Lankshear 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:

“Black Swan” & “White Swan” limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver.