The Beginning of the Universe with Brian Keating

About This Episode

Could the Higgs field vary across space and time? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer fan questions on cosmic inflation, quantum fluctuations, and the earliest moments after the Big Bang with cosmologist Brian Keating.

We unpack the biggest mysteries in cosmology: What happened before the Big Bang? How do quantum fluctuations shape the universe? Can we ever truly measure the signature of inflation? Brian shares the exhilarating and humbling story of the BICEP2 experiment and how he had to retract the results from a groundbreaking attempt to detect gravitational waves from the early universe. We explore how light polarization reveals hidden information about spacetime, why searching for deviations a billionth of a degree above absolute zero matters, and why multi-wavelength observations are critical to separating cosmic signals from noise.

We take on listener questions: Could the Higgs field vary across space and time? What’s on the other side of the cosmic microwave background? How do quantum fluctuations lead to galaxy formation? Could we detect new particles we aren’t even looking for? And, will the cosmic microwave background eventually fade into radio waves as the universe expands?

Along the way, we tackle the need for inflation theory, the possibility of a multiverse, and how studying the universe’s origins isn’t just about history, it’s about understanding our very existence.

Thanks to our Patrons Walter Krutzfeldt, Roni Rotstein, Brandon Herrera, David McCarroll, Sina, MArcus Richardson, Adam Poder, Mark Davis, Doug Fish, Bill McMahon, Brucie the psuedo p*nis power washer martin, Kyra (Kē-rah) Smith, Robin Godefridi, Randal Davis, Mike Roseberry, Steve Schaefer, Matt Witheiler, Allan Whitescarver, Buck Futterman, Nick Singh, Joanna Gladh, Ronald Sharo, Justin, EMIL FORSBLAD, Dan Murrell Jr., Steve Cotton, PSP Geezer, Jeffery Frederick, Matthew Stansell, Eric, Muffin mNa, SixStringBuddha, Zahra Ali, MorrigaiNE, ExoTikMixed, Connie, Keith Johnson, Kearne Anderson, Cæsar Hernø, Bro Dude, Daniel Garvens, Will S. , Stanton Vedell, Logical HIllbilly, Tasha RAth, Rook Silva, Eugene, Darren Ward, Nancy Wolter, Vadi S, PoxyFoxx, David Alexander, and Charlie Cervonefor supporting us this week.

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