Cosmic Queries – Strange Matter

About This Episode

What could we do to hide from the aliens? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer fan questions about human radio wave signals, strange matter, universes inside black holes, and other physics questions!

Could a spaceship constantly accelerate? We talk about retrorockets, the Equivalence Principle, and space fueling stations. Learn how the paths of projectiles don’t actually follow a parabolic arch. Plus, how do photons experience redshift while also being destroyed upon creation?

Are we on the other side of another universe’s black hole? What is the difference between the horizon of our universe and the event horizon? What is strange matter? We break down the types of quarks and the mysterious things in particle accelerators. Plus, learn where the word “quark” comes from.

Do gas giants have a solid core made of different things than ours? Find out about the formation of the solar system, Maxwellian distribution of velocities, and how big Jupiter’s atmosphere is. We also explore human radio and TV signals and how we could encrypt our signals so aliens don’t hear us. How many cosmic discoveries are made by people with no formal training? Can enthusiasts still contribute to science? We also discuss what needs to be revised about the model for the start of our universe. Plus, learn how aliens received the wrong directions to our solar system.

Thanks to our Patrons Pepper Horton, Albert Vara, Shuky Mayer, William and Adwoa Steel, Timothé Payette, CESAR FRADIQUE, Tony Chantosa, Norwne Gonio, Tim Wescott, and Momo Gasuki for supporting us this week.

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