Brian Keating on Live Life Better with Scott Eastwood (#341)
Aug 26, 2023
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Scott Eastwood and Brian Keating have a wide-ranging discussion on cosmology and astrophysics, covering topics such as the age and size of the Universe, relativity, the essence of science, and the pursuit of the Nobel Prize. They also explore the negative effects of awards on science and the need for science role models. Plus, learn about the lifespan of stars and the coldest spot in San Diego.
The Nobel Prize in sciences is considered outdated and in need of reform according to the speaker, who pursued winning a Nobel Prize for his Big Bang discovery.
Time dilation is a concept explained by the speaker, where the clocks of objects approaching the speed of light run slower relative to stationary objects.
A project funded by a Russian billionaire aims to send tiny cell phone cameras to Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our solar system, accelerating them with laser beams and potentially paving the way for exploring other solar systems.
Scientists use various methods to measure distance in the universe and continue to uncover the immense size and complexity of the universe, with our galaxy being 100,000 light years across and our solar system approximately 60,000 light years from the center.
Deep dives
The Reformation of the Nobel Prize in Sciences
The speaker believes that the Nobel Prize in sciences is in need of reform due to its outdated nature. He also mentions that he was on the trail of winning a Nobel Prize for his discovery related to the Big Bang. He explains his invention called Bicep, which utilized a telescope at the South Pole to detect the spark that caused the universe to come into existence. This discovery was considered one of the greatest in human knowledge. He also discusses the pressures and fascination around winning a Nobel Prize and the significance of scientific theories like relativity.
Exploring the Concept of Time Dilation and the Twin Paradox
The speaker discusses time dilation and its relation to motion and speed. He explains that as objects approach the speed of light, their clocks run slower relative to stationary objects. He mentions examples like traveling on planes and the behavior of muons in the Earth's atmosphere to illustrate the concept. The speaker also touches on the possibility of traveling at near the speed of light, but explains the challenges and limitations that make it impossible to travel at the speed of light itself.
The Possibility of Travelling to Proxima Centauri
The speaker mentions a project funded by a Russian billionaire that aims to send tiny cell phone cameras to Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our solar system. These cameras would be accelerated by laser beams and would capture images as they pass by the star. While the project is ambitious, it signifies progress in our ability to explore and potentially reach other solar systems. The distance to Proxima Centauri is approximately four light years away, and it would take 25 years to reach it, even at a fraction of the speed of light.
Measuring Distance and Understanding the Size of the Universe
The speaker explains how scientists are able to measure distance in the universe using various methods like parallax and trigonometry. He mentions that our galaxy, the Milky Way, is about 100,000 light years across, and our solar system is approximately 60,000 light years from the center. He emphasizes the immense size and complexity of the universe, suggesting that there is still much to discover and understand.
Black holes and their mysteries
Black holes are celestial objects with immense gravitational pull that can even trap light. They form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity. While we can't directly observe black holes, we can detect their effects. For example, we see stars orbiting an empty space at the center of our galaxy, indicating the presence of a massive black hole. Scientists have also observed black holes colliding and emitting gravitational waves. The exact nature of black holes and what happens beyond the event horizon, the point of no return, remains a mystery.
The wonders of our galaxy's center
At the center of our galaxy, there exists a supermassive black hole, millions of times more massive than our Sun. This black hole exerts a gravitational pull that causes stars to orbit around it. Through advanced techniques and observations, scientists have been able to study the movement of stars near the black hole, providing valuable insights into its properties and behavior. Exciting discoveries are being made, and ongoing research at the center of our galaxy continues to unravel the mysteries of these incredible celestial phenomena.
Exploring the boundaries of physics
Scientists are constantly pushing the boundaries of understanding when it comes to black holes. Through the use of telescopes and advanced techniques, they are able to make predictions and observations about the behavior of black holes. This includes studying the effects of matter falling into a black hole, the formation of black hole mergers, and the potential existence of wormholes. While much is still unknown, these explorations are expanding our knowledge of gravity, space, and the fundamental laws of the universe.
The allure of the unknown
Black holes captivate the human imagination with their extreme properties and the mysteries they hold. While much progress has been made in studying black holes, there is still so much we don't know. The curiosity and wonder sparked by these cosmic phenomena drive scientists to continue their investigations. Black holes are a reminder that there is still so much left to explore and discover in the vastness of our universe.
Scott Eastwood evokes one of the best primers on cosmology and astrophysics you’re ever going to get in this wide ranging discussion wit Brian Keating. From the age and size of the Universe to relativity and the essence of science itself, and the pursuit of the Nobel prize, this episode could make you one of the most interesting people in the room at your next dinner party!
