Things You Thought You Knew – Head in the Clouds

About This Episode

Why are there different types of clouds? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice break down things you thought you knew about twilight, how clouds are made, and why Earth’s coastlines change.

Did you know there are three different twilights? We break down this mysterious time between night and day and why it feels so magical. We go over civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight and why twilight lasts longer in some parts of the world. Are there places where the whole day is twilight?

How do clouds get made? Learn about the different types of clouds and how they form. What is the difference between a cumulus cloud and a cumulonimbus cloud? We explore the interplay between air temperature and water vapor in cloud formation. Why does it rain? How does hail get made? Learn about hurricanes, cirrus clouds, orographic clouds, and cloud streets.

How did Earth get its coastlines? We explore prehistoric coastlines, the Ice Age, and why Florida is temporary. Why does the shape of the coastline change? Learn about the continental shelf and how the Ice Age impacted the oceans. What did Earth’s coastlines look like during the Ice Age? Find out about the Bering Strait Land Bridge and how early humans may have used it to cross into the Americas. We discuss how civilization grew in a stable climate and how that will change over time.

Thanks to our Patrons Kevin, Jaden Peters, Margaret Berry, TheGSTip, Wisdom Ajayi, Thais Carvalho, Tye Bennett, Adam E, Joel Addis, Jurica Posavec, Cheryl Rudisill, Rob DeSanno, Joseph Fogas, Laura Fortier, Melyssa Bailey, Dustin Callas, Aubry Villanueva, Kyla Speakman, Nelson Hernandez, Eika Ng, Steve Gideon, Jake Schultz, Felipe, Sheldon Wilcox, David Sargent, Jason Ralston, Jim Young, Marcus Hart, Cletus Payne, Melinda DeRouen Mueller, Sharon Wright, michele mccarthy, Houston Nickelson III, Gowd Haraginadoni, Kurt_009, manny gonzalez, Fabrizio Hasselbach, Douglas James, Joe, Mohamed Echkouna, Mista Sandman, Javier Ortega A., Donna C McCulloch, Lanie Hollifield, and Sagan is King for supporting us this week.

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