Now Hear This: Theoretical Physics, with Janna Levin

About This Episode

Get ready to investigate the cosmological and theoretical phenomena found in our universe as astrophysicist and host Janna Levin, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and astrophysicist David Spergel explore theoretical physics – previously recorded live at the Now Hear This: Podcast Festival in New York City. To set a baseline before we start, David breaks down physics into two categories: observable/experimental and theoretical. After that, you’ll learn how math is the “language of the universe,” and Janna and David explain how you get from a complicated equation to stunning visual representation. You’ll hear about the Fermi paradox, collective consciousness, and astrobiology and the “bottlenecks” in the creation of life. Discover the true definition of sea level. When asked about warp drives, Janna explains how we can achieve them on paper using a trick found in general relativity. You’ll also learn about the Voyager mission, what it’s teaching us today, and how we probe the far reaches of the universe. All that, plus, Janna and David reveal what the hardest subject was for them to learn in astrophysics, Chuck makes a quick suggestion on how to deal with “Flat-Earthers,” and much more!

NOTE: All-Access subscribers can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: Theoretical Physics, with Janna Levin.