StarTalk Radio Things You Thought You Knew – The Geometric Universe
Apr 9, 2024
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice discuss spheres in the universe, navigating the sky, and spacecraft reentry. Topics include round shapes in the natural world, celestial navigation, and the challenges of de-orbiting a massive space station.
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Cosmic Spheres Explained
- The universal shape of large celestial bodies is spherical due to gravity pulling matter inward evenly.
- Surface tension and gravity favor spheres because they enclose maximum volume with minimal surface area.
Rotation Flattens Planets
- Rapidly rotating celestial bodies, like Saturn, flatten due to centrifugal force.
- Saturn's fast rotation makes it about 10% shorter pole to pole than side to side, noticeable in photos.
Sun's Ecliptic Path
- The sun's path across the sky is called the ecliptic and is tilted 23.5 degrees due to Earth's axial tilt.
- This tilt causes seasons and makes the sun's apparent path move against background stars through the year.