StarTalk Radio
Things You Thought You Knew – Head in the Clouds
Apr 8, 2025
Get ready to drift through the whimsical world of twilight, where Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice unveil the true nature of civil, nautical, and astronomical phases. They'll debunk common myths and reveal how locations like Alaska bask in perpetual twilight. Then, dive into the science behind cloud formation and explore how temperature and humidity influence weather phenomena. Finally, uncover the chilling implications of climate change on coastlines and ponder the quest for extraterrestrial life in the watery depths of Mars and Europa.
45:26
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explains the three types of twilight, highlighting their significance based on the sun's position below the horizon.
- It discusses how climate change is re-shaping coastlines, posing threats to major cities due to rising sea levels from glacial melting.
Deep dives
Understanding the Different Types of Twilight
There are three main types of twilight, which occur due to the sun's position relative to the horizon. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is six degrees below the horizon, allowing sufficient light for everyday activities. Nautical twilight follows at twelve degrees below the horizon, where the sky is dark enough for sailors to navigate using stars. Finally, astronomical twilight happens when the sun is eighteen degrees below the horizon, allowing astronomers to observe celestial objects without the interference of sunlight.
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