Why This Universe?

Josh Winn, an expert in the search for exoplanets, discusses the evolution of exoplanet discovery methods, the surprises found with hot Jupiter planets, the impact of the transit method, and the comparison of different telescopes for sky monitoring. The conversation delves into the search for habitable planets, the potential discovery of Earth-like planets with signs of life, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, ultimately exploring the potential of life across stars in the Milky Way.

Chris Quigg, witness to the 'November Revolution' of particle physics in 1974, discusses the evolution of particle physics theories, the standard model, strong nuclear force, and particle colliders. Topics include the history of particle physics, skepticism and excitement around the quark model, differing perspectives on proton structure, the elegance and simplicity of particle physics principles, and the difficulty of identifying revolutionary instances in physics.

Exploring the demarcation problem in science vs. pseudoscience, defining science through hypothesizing and experimenting. Blurred lines between science and humanities, importance of peer review. Contrasting philosophies on falsifiability and paradigm shifts. Validating Darwin's theory through DNA testing. Examining the scientific validity of fields like Freudian psychology and astrology.

Delving into ancient Greek astronomy, the podcast discusses Thales of Miletus and Pythagoras' unconventional theories on the universe. It explores Plato's perfect forms and Aristotle's cosmological model. The role of scientific models, evolution of astronomy, and the philosophical divisions among ancient Greek astronomers are also highlighted.

Hear how a recent discovery of the motions of galaxies is changing how cosmologists are thinking about our universe. For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

The podcast explores NanoGRAV's groundbreaking discovery of gravitational waves using pulsars, delves into the rarity and significance of gravitational waves from supermassive black hole mergers, discusses the unique nature of gravitational waves generated by these mergers, explores the utilization of pulsar timing arrays by NanoGRAV, and speculates on future breakthroughs in gravitational wave science including detecting supermassive black hole binary systems and the true nature of dark matter.

What's it like bringing science to the most general public audiences? How do you distill complex results into short news-worthy articles without getting lost in clickbait? Today we hear the perspective of New York Times science journalist Katrina Miller.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

Quantum computing makes big promises, but how does it work? What is the real state of quantum computing today? Special guest Henry Lamm answers our questions.Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeFor ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseSupport the show

Delving into the question of reality versus simulation, this podcast explores the philosophical and scientific aspects of living in a simulated universe. Topics include consciousness, machine consciousness, quantum computing, and the likelihood of our reality being a simulation.

Physicists Daniel Baxter and Alexandra Rahlin discuss their experiences collecting data in extreme locations, such as deep underground in a mining facility and from the South Pole. They explore topics like working with dark matter, the challenges of conducting experiments in remote locations, the use of duct tape and zip ties for scientific purposes, and the psychological challenges of living in isolation without sunlight. They also reflect on the awe-inspiring nature of studying the universe in extreme locations.