StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Everyday Astrophysics, with Russell Peters
Mar 29, 2019
Comedian Russell Peters joins Neil deGrasse Tyson to tackle fan-submitted questions about the cosmos with plenty of laughs. They break down why Mercury and Venus lack moons while discussing Earth's tilt, seasons, and survival on Jupiter. The duo explores the visibility of the Andromeda Galaxy and the fascinating concept of creating something from nothing, all wrapped in anecdotes and humor. They even tackle the intriguing effects of altitude and gravity at the equator. Science has never been so entertaining!
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Definition of a Planet
- Planets must be massive enough to become spherical due to gravity.
- They must also dominate their orbit, like Earth, unlike Pluto in the Kuiper belt.
Earth’s Axial Tilt and Seasons
- Earth’s axial tilt causes seasons by changing the angle of sunlight.
- Without the tilt, there would be no temperature-based seasons, only variations in weather like rain.
Gas Giant Descent
- On a gas giant like Jupiter, a person in a pressure-proof suit would descend until reaching an equilibrium density.
- Without a suit, they would be crushed and vaporized.