Cosmic Queries – Seeing Earth From Space with Jordan Klepper & Nicole Stott

About This Episode

What do you learn from going to space? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and guest co-host, comedian Jordan Klepper, answer patron questions about living in space with engineer and NASA astronaut, Nicole Stott. What’s the Overview Effect?

Do we have all we need to send humans to Mars already? If not, what are the things we haven’t figured out? We explore the plane of the solar system versus the plane of the galaxy. Can a human safely feel gravitational waves? Is there a scientific reason for the shape of The Enterprise? Neil explains why he wants things to look cool and how he envisions the future. Will we evolve past a need for design? 

Next, we talk to Nicole Stott and she tells us all about going to space, astronaut hobbies, and why we should be living like space station crewmates on earth. Is it difficult to paint a watercolor in space? We discuss Nicole’s Space for Art Foundation and how she finds inspiration and power in the cosmos. Should we send more artists to space? What about satirical comedians? What does it feel like to look back on earth from space? Do you need different types of art materials in zero G? Nicole breaks down how she had to modify her painting for space and other lifestyle adjustments.

We discuss the progress of female engineers within NASA and advice for any young women trying to become an astronaut or engineer. What goes on in the body when it goes into space and comes back to earth? Find out what it feels like to feel gravity again. Discover how art can help make science more accessible for the blind, and what programs exist to educate using the different senses. What part of space travel could be made better? We discuss air pressure and strange habits that you pick up from being in space. All that plus, find out about Jordan’s close– and super real– friendship with Buzz Aldrin.

Thanks to our Patrons Elisa, terrell robinson, Adorak, Leo Azir Ra, Aaron Isaacson, Ian Konkle, and Josh Laurente & Emily McCadden for supporting us this week.

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