This new infrared view of the star formation region Messier 8, often called the Lagoon Nebula, was captured by the VISTA telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. This colour picture was created from images taken through J, H and Ks near-infrared filters, and which were acquired as part of a huge survey of the central parts of the Milky Way. The field of view is about 34 by 15 arcminutes.
This new infrared view of the star formation region Messier 8, often called the Lagoon Nebula, was captured by the VISTA telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. This colour picture was created from images taken through J, H and Ks near-infrared filters, and which were acquired as part of a huge survey of the central parts of the Milky Way. The field of view is about 34 by 15 arcminutes.

Physics & Philosophy with Sean Carroll

​ESO/VVV, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Free Audio
  • Ad-Free Audio
  • Video

About This Episode

Why is the past different from the future? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore the universe’s deepest questions like why is there anything, how we know we are in the real present, if there could be a unified theory of physics and more with theoretical physicist Sean Carroll.

For more information about the new book: https://startalkmedia.com/books

Why mix philosophy and science? We break down the history of philosophy, “natural philosophy,” and their connection to science. We dive into why it’s important for scientists to ask these big philosophical questions. Learn what quantum entanglement is, its importance, and “the many worlds hypothesis.”

What if the Big Bang wasn’t the beginning and the universe was infinitely old? We explore entropy and the possibility of an infinite universe. Does a finely tuned universe imply the existence of a god? We discuss scientific arguments for the existence of God and whether a god would be beholden to the laws of physics.

Why is there something rather than nothing? Neil and Sean debate the inherent properties of space and the definition of nothing. What does the present even mean if everything we do to interact with the world has a time delay? And finally, are we still chasing a unified theory of physics?

Thanks to our Patrons Nick hemmerich, Kelley Bard, Lou Casagrande, Nathaniel Johnston, Jesus Tamayo, and Leon for supporting us this week.

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

In This Episode

Get the most out of StarTalk!

Ad-Free Audio Downloads
Ad-Free Video Episodes
Stickers & Mugs
Live Streams with Neil
Priority Cosmic Queries
Early-Access Videos
Learn the Meaning of Life
...and much more

Episode Topics