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In this captivating conversation, we dive deep into the cosmos with renowned cosmologist, podcaster, and UC San Diego professor Dr. Brian Keating. Joined by Mike Misha and Xinghui, Brian takes us on a journey from the childhood wonder inspired by the Moon to the high-altitude peaks of Chile and the frigid expanse of the South Pole, where he's helped pioneer the development of cutting-edge telescopes aimed at unlocking the secrets of the universe.

This episode is from the 632nm Podcast

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Takeaways:

00:00 Moon Fascination and Antarctic Astronomy

09:38 "Proof of Earth's Orbit via Parallax"

14:36 Uncharted Light Polarization Exploration

19:45 Challenges in Measuring Polarization

23:41 "Transistor Tech for Microwave Signals"

26:52 Optimal Telescope Size for Science

31:13 Collaborative Scientific Learning Journey

37:20 "Steady State vs. Big Bang"

46:43 Universe's Earliest Light Revealed

51:25 Rapid Advances in Observational Technology

58:01 Motel Suicide and Leadership Shift

58:50 Near-Miss: Nobel Prize Revelation

01:04:13 Missed Signals, Planck Pressure

01:13:54 Detecting Cosmic Phenomena with Telescopes

01:18:42 Balanced Research in Cosmology

01:23:27 Space Telescope Vision Expansion

01:26:51 AI's Limits in Predicting Relativity

01:31:28 Reevaluating the Nobel Prize Criteria

01:38:20 Musk's Mars Vision: Science Disruption

01:41:46 Balancing Science and Personal Life

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Watch the episode on other platforms:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z3THHIQorc&list=PL87anKnyrxSINa7feABRBcXA_fIQzqPH0

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-we-build-telescopes-to-explore-the-early-cosmos/id1751170269?i=1000719643327

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/60hbFQNpmBJvDsdHM5WgDW?si=e91b6fbc60a5411d

Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast/status/1950231216143126552

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/632nmpodcast/p/listening-to-the-echoes-of-the-big?r=409hsq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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January 12, 2026

Letters from an American

Outro

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