StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Intergalactic Impacts
Jul 12, 2022
Dive into the cosmic chaos as black holes collide and create ripples through space! Discover the playful philosophy of time and light from a photon's perspective, along with humorous references to superheroes. Unpack the scaling effects of cosmic collisions and their significance, all while exploring the origins of moons and the technology behind detecting gravitational waves. The engaging banter keeps it light-hearted, turning deep scientific insights into a fun and accessible journey through the universe's quirks.
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Photon Impact and Determinism
- Photons don't experience time, making their impact seemingly simultaneous with emission.
- This raises philosophical questions about determinism and whether a target's presence is predestined.
The Fate of Photons
- Neil deGrasse Tyson ponders the "wasted trip" of photons that miss telescopes.
- He reflects on the countless photons crisscrossing space, hitting random objects instead of detectors.
Lightsaber Physics Debate
- Tyson recalls a "Twitter fight" with physicist Brian Cox about lightsabers.
- Cox pointed out that gamma-ray lightsabers could theoretically interact, unlike other light forms.