TED Radio Hour

Through The Looking Glass

Mar 19, 2021
Emily Levesque, an astrophysicist and author, shares insights into the evolution of astronomy and the profound impact of advanced telescopes. Ariel Waldman reveals the hidden microbial wonders in Antarctica's ecosystems. Rick Doblin discusses psychedelic therapy's potential to revolutionize mental health treatment, uplifting stories of healing through MDMA. Lastly, Charlie Jane Anders captivates with an excerpt from her science fiction story, tackling the challenges of surviving climate change. Together, they explore perception, connection, and the frontiers of understanding.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Naked-Eye Supernova

  • Oscar Duhalde discovered a supernova with his naked eye while working at Las Campanas Observatory.
  • This made him the only person to achieve this feat in centuries.
INSIGHT

Early Astronomy

  • For millennia, humans studied stars with the naked eye, making astonishing discoveries.
  • The use of telescopes began shortly after the last naked-eye supernova in 1604.
ANECDOTE

Hubble's Discovery

  • Edwin Hubble, using glass plates, discovered galaxies beyond the Milky Way.
  • His observations of Andromeda proved it was another galaxy, expanding our understanding of the universe.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app