Why This Universe?

There has been some criticism of the process scientists use to check each other's work. Today we take a deep dive into peer review to determine how broken it really is.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-universeCrew CollectiveA podcast about the wild, weird, and deeply human side of cosmic storytelling.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Support the show

Dive into the revolutionary Noether's theorem, where symmetries unveil the foundations of conservation laws like momentum and energy. Explore the legacy of Emmy Noether, a trailblazing mathematician who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. Discover how gauge symmetry underpins key principles in particle physics, including charge conservation. The interplay between symmetry and physical laws not only reshapes our understanding of the universe but also highlights the intricate dance of mathematics and physics.

We explore the diverse world of stars in the universe, from those similar to our Sun to those totally unrecognizable.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-universeCrew CollectiveA podcast about the wild, weird, and deeply human side of cosmic storytelling.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Support the show

Explore the evolution of human understanding of the Sun, its size, temperature, and fusion process. Learn about the Sun's future as a red giant star and the formation of white dwarfs, including the concept of 'black dwarfs' in the distant future.

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/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

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.