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Ask a Spaceman!

Ask a Spaceman!

By Paul M. Sutter

What would happen if you fell into a black hole? How big is the universe? Just what the heck is a quasar, anyway? You've got questions, and astrophysicist Paul M. Sutter has the answers! Submit questions on social media using #AskASpaceman. Every episode you will come closer to COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!
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AaS! 111: What's it like to fall into a black hole? (redux)

Ask a Spaceman!Sep 03, 2019

00:00
41:47
AaS! 144: Astro101 Part 6 - What are Galaxies?

AaS! 144: Astro101 Part 6 - What are Galaxies?

It’s time for school! The Astro101 series will cover some of the most important questions in astronomy. In today’s lesson, we’ll have: What is a galaxy? What does our own galaxy look like? What are the different kinds of galaxies, and how did they get that way? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book
Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Matthew K, Chris L, Barbara K, Duncan M, Corey D, Justin Z, Neuterdude, Nate H, Andrew F, Naila, Aaron S, Scott M, Rob H, David B, Frank T, Tim R, Alex P, Tom Van S, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Richard K, Steve P, Dave L, Chuck C, Stephen M, Maureen R, Stace J, Neil P, lothian53 , COTFM, Stephen S, Ken L, Debra S, Alberto M, Matt C, Ron S, Stephen J, Joe R, Jeremy K, David P, Norm Z, Ulfert B, Robert B, Fr. Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Edward K, Callan R, Darren W, JJ_Holy, Tracy F, Tom, Sarah K, Bill H, Steven S, Jens O, Ryan L, Ella F, Richard S, Sam R, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, R Larche, Syamkumar M, John S, Fred S, Homer V, Mark D, Brianna V, Becky L, Colin B, Arthur, Bruce A, Steven M, Brent B, Bill E, Jim L, Tim Z, Thomas W, Linda C, Joshua, David W, Aissa F, Tom G, and Marc H!

Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Jan 19, 202142:35
AaS! 143: Astro101 Part 5 - What are Neutron Stars, White Dwarfs, and Black Holes?

AaS! 143: Astro101 Part 5 - What are Neutron Stars, White Dwarfs, and Black Holes?

It’s time for school! The Astro101 series will cover some of the most important questions in astronomy. In today’s lesson, we’ll have: What is a white dwarf? What is a neutron star? What is a black hole? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Matthew K, Chris L, Barbara K, Duncan M, Corey D, Justin Z, Neuterdude, Nate H, Andrew F, Naila, Aaron S, Scott M, Rob H, David B, Frank T, Tim R, Alex P, Tom Van S, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Richard K, Steve P, Dave L, Chuck C, Stephen M, Maureen R, Stace J, Neil P, lothian53 , COTFM, Stephen S, Ken L, Debra S, Alberto M, Matt C, Ron S, Stephen J, Joe R, Jeremy K, David P, Norm Z, Ulfert B, Robert B, Fr. Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Edward K, Callan R, Darren W, JJ_Holy, Tracy F, Tom, Sarah K, Bill H, Steven S, Jens O, Ryan L, Ella F, Richard S, Sam R, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, R Larche, Syamkumar M, John S, Fred S, Homer V, Mark D, Brianna V, Becky L, Colin B, Arthur, Bruce A, Steven M, Brent B, Bill E, Jim L, Tim Z, Thomas W, Linda C, Joshua, David W, Aissa F, Tom G, and Marc H!

Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Jan 05, 202138:01
AaS! 142: Astro101 Part 4 - What Happens When Stars Die?

AaS! 142: Astro101 Part 4 - What Happens When Stars Die?

It’s time for school! The Astro101 series will cover some of the most important questions in astronomy. In today’s lesson, we’ll have: What’s the difference between a “dwarf” and “giant” star? How are stars born? What happens when stars die? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book
Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Matthew K, Chris L, Barbara K, Duncan M, Corey D, Justin Z, Neuterdude, Nate H, Andrew F, Naila, Aaron S, Scott M, Rob H, David B, Frank T, Tim R, Alex P, Tom Van S, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Richard K, Steve P, Dave L, Chuck C, Stephen M, Maureen R, Stace J, Neil P, lothian53 , COTFM, Stephen S, Ken L, Debra S, Alberto M, Matt C, Ron S, Stephen J, Joe R, Jeremy K, David P, Norm Z, Ulfert B, Robert B, Fr. Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Edward K, Callan R, Darren W, JJ_Holy, Tracy F, Tom, Sarah K, Bill H, Steven S, Jens O, Ryan L, Ella F, Richard S, Sam R, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, R Larche, Syamkumar M, John S, db8y97, Fred S, Howard A, Homer V, Mark D, Brianna V, Becky L, Colin B, Arthur, Bruce A, Steven M, Brent B, Bill E, Jim L, Tim Z, Wayne B, Thomas W, and Linda C!

Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Dec 15, 202034:46
AaS! 141: Astro101 Part 3 - What is a Star?

AaS! 141: Astro101 Part 3 - What is a Star?

It’s time for school! The Astro101 series will cover some of the most important questions in astronomy. In today’s lesson, we’ll have: What are the different kinds of stars? Why does classification in astronomy make no sense? How the heck do we define a “star”, anyway? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book
Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Matthew K, Justin Z, Justin G, Kevin O, Duncan M, Corey D, Barbara K, Neuterdude, Robert M, Nate H, Andrew F, Chris L, Cameron L, Naila, Aaron S, Tom B, Scott M, Rob H, Tim R, Joe R, Neil P, Irene P, Matt C, Iothian53, Steve P, Debra S, Ken L, Alberto M, Ron W, Chris L, Mark R, Alan B, Stephen J, David P, John F, Maureen R, Frank T, Craig B, Jesse A, Steven L, Ulfert B, Dave L, Stace J, S Stark, Richard K, Carol S, Stephen M, Grace M, Jeremy K, Russell W, David B, Tamara F, Robert B, Fr Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Nate H, Edward K, Ped, Chuck C, Stephen S, Elizabeth W, Eric F, Tracy F, Callan R, George, Tom G, Tom, Sarah K, Jens O, Ella F, Sarah K, JJ_Holy, Ryan L, Cindy R, Sam R, Tom Van S, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, Syamkumar M, John S, db8y97, Fred S, COTFM, Darren W, Norm Z, Howard A, Homer V, Kevin P, Robert H, Mark D, Ron S, David W, Brianna V, Becky L, Bruce A, Arthur, Bill H, Justin W, Colin B, Steven M, Richard S, Brent B, Bill E, Jim L, Tim Z, and Bill E!

Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Dec 01, 202036:59
Update on Advertising
Nov 24, 202012:15
AaS! 140: Astro101 Part 2 - Who lives in the solar system?

AaS! 140: Astro101 Part 2 - Who lives in the solar system?

It’s time for school! The Astro101 series will cover some of the most important questions in astronomy. In today’s lesson, we’ll have: How did the solar system form? What is a “planet” and who decided that? Just how much space is in space? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book
Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Matthew K, Justin Z, Justin G, Kevin O, Duncan M, Corey D, Barbara K, Neuterdude, Robert M, Nate H, Andrew F, Chris L, Cameron L, Naila, Aaron S, Tom B, Scott M, Rob H, Tim R, Joe R, Neil P, Irene P, Matt C, Iothian53, Steve P, Debra S, Ken L, Alberto M, Ron W, Chris L, Mark R, Alan B, Stephen J, David P, John F, Maureen R, Frank T, Craig B, Jesse A, Steven L, Ulfert B, Dave L, Stace J, S Stark, Richard K, Carol S, Stephen M, Grace M, Jeremy K, Russell W, David B, Tamara F, Robert B, Fr Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Nate H, Edward K, Ped, Chuck C, Stephen S, Elizabeth W, Eric F, Tracy F, Callan R, George, Tom G, Tom, Sarah K, Jens O, Ella F, Sarah K, JJ_Holy, Ryan L, Cindy R, Sam R, Tom Van S, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, Syamkumar M, John S, db8y97, Fred S, COTFM, Darren W, Norm Z, Howard A, Homer V, Kevin P, Robert H, Mark D, Ron S, David W, Brianna V, Becky L, Bruce A, Arthur, Bill H, Justin W, Colin B, Steven M, Richard S, Brent B, Bill E, Jim L, Tim Z, and Bill E!

Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Nov 17, 202035:10
AaS! 139: Astro101 Part 1 - Why bother with astronomy?

AaS! 139: Astro101 Part 1 - Why bother with astronomy?

It’s time for school! The Astro101 series will cover some of the most important questions in astronomy. In today’s lesson, we’ll have: Why did people used to study astronomy? Why do they continue to study astronomy? What’s the deal with all this weird jargon? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter
All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book
Go on an adventure: http://www.AstroTours.co

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Matthew K, Justin Z, Justin G, Kevin O, Duncan M, Corey D, Barbara K, Neuterdude, Chris C, Robert M, Nate H, Andrew F, Chris L, Cameron L, Naila, Aaron S, Tom B, Scott M, Billy T, Rob H Tim R, Joe R, Neil P, Bryan D, Irene P, Matt C, Iothian53, Steve P, Debra S, Ken L, Alberto M, Ron W, Chris L, Mark R, Alan B, Stephen J, David P, John F, Maureen R, Frank T, Craig B, Jesse A, Steven L, Ulfert B, Dave L, Stace J, S Stark, Richard K, Carol S, Stephen M, Grace M, Jeremy K, Russell W, David B, Tamara F, Robert B, Fr Bruce W, Catherine R, Nicolai B, Sean M, Nate H, Edward K, Ped, Chuck C, Stephen S, Elizabeth W, Eric F, Tracy F, Callan R, George, Tom G, Tom, Sarah K, Jens O, Ella F, Sarah K, JJ_Holy, G Clune, Ryan L, Cindy R, Judy D, Sam R, Tom Van S, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, Nicole M, Syamkumar M, John S, db8y97, Fred S, COTFM, Darren W, Norm Z, Howard A, Homer V, Kevin P, Robert H, Mark D, Ron S, David W, Antonio M, Brianna V, Becky L, Bruce A, Arthur, Bill H, Justin W, Colin B, Steven M, Richard S, Brent B, Bill E, and Jim L!

Music by Jason Grady and Nick Bain. Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Nov 03, 202035:27
AaS! 138: Could the "emdrive" really work?

AaS! 138: Could the "emdrive" really work?

What does the “emdrive” claim to do? How does it violate almost all of known physics? What were the problems with the experiments? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Oct 20, 202033:51
AaS! 137: What's really at the center of a black hole?

AaS! 137: What's really at the center of a black hole?

What can possibly replace the singularity? What are Planck stars and Gravastars? What’s it like to fall into a rotating black hole? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Oct 06, 202032:17
AaS! 136: Can planets survive the death of their star?

AaS! 136: Can planets survive the death of their star?

When stars die, do their planets die too? What can possibly survive after a supernova explosion? How will the death of the sun affect our solar system? Can zombie planets rise from the dead? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Sep 15, 202030:56
AaS! 135: Why Aren't There More Black Physicists?

AaS! 135: Why Aren't There More Black Physicists?

What are the accomplishments of black astronomers and physicists? Why does diversity remain so low in higher education, especially physics? What can we do to prevent bias and discrimination? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Sep 01, 202030:43
AaS! 134: Is there a fifth force of nature?

AaS! 134: Is there a fifth force of nature?

Are there more than four forces of nature? Is dark matter connected to dark energy? What the heck are dark photons? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Aug 18, 202031:44
AaS! 133: How do we know the Earth is curved?

AaS! 133: How do we know the Earth is curved?

Why do people believe the Earth is flat? How do we know it’s curved? Is a debate even worth it? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Aug 04, 202032:52
AaS! 132: What did Einstein get wrong?

AaS! 132: What did Einstein get wrong?

Was Einstein ever wrong? How did he miss out on a major prediction for the universe? What was his major beef with quantum mechanics? How did he go from quantum believer to quantum hater? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jul 21, 202035:43
AaS! 131: What's so cool about the TRAPPIST-1 system?

AaS! 131: What's so cool about the TRAPPIST-1 system?

Why is the TRAPPIST-1 system so fascinating? Is it really habitable? How are we figuring all this out? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jul 07, 202033:49
AaS! 130: What's the most amazing thing about the universe?

AaS! 130: What's the most amazing thing about the universe?

What blows me away about the universe? How is it all connected? How does universality give physics the power to explain everything? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jun 16, 202025:48
AaS! 129: Did the big bang make black holes?

AaS! 129: Did the big bang make black holes?

What kind of crazy physics made primordial black holes? What does that have to do with the LIGO observations of merging black holes? How can we possibly detect them? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jun 02, 202032:45
AaS! 128: Why are we missing all the baryons?

AaS! 128: Why are we missing all the baryons?

What is the “missing baryon problem”? How do we know how many baryons there ought to be? What does the cosmic web have to do with it? What the heck is a baryon, anyway? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
May 19, 202027:08
AaS! 127: What was Newton's big deal?

AaS! 127: What was Newton's big deal?

What was Newton’s genius? Why was his work so controversial? Why are his laws of motion so radical? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
May 05, 202042:57
AaS! 126: What's the wildest weather in the solar system?

AaS! 126: What's the wildest weather in the solar system?

What makes the Earth’s atmosphere so special? What makes the atmospheres of other planets so special? Why are atmospheres so special anyway? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Apr 21, 202032:52
AaS! 125: Does Planet Nine exist?

AaS! 125: Does Planet Nine exist?

Why do we think the solar system might have another planet? Why do we think it doesn’t? How do test for something that’s too far away to see? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Apr 07, 202033:56
AaS! 124: Why is the speed of light the way it is?

AaS! 124: Why is the speed of light the way it is?

Why is the speed of light so important in physics? Why does the value not matter at all? And why does it have the speed that it does? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Mar 17, 202035:43
How to Die in Space: Sneak Preview
Mar 10, 202014:26
AaS! 123: What powers a hypernova?

AaS! 123: What powers a hypernova?

How can a supernova become even more powerful? Why do we have such a hard time studying them, let alone defining them? What happens when you let a giant star unleash its full potential? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Mar 03, 202027:15
AaS! 122: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 8: An Armageddon of Strings)

AaS! 122: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 8: An Armageddon of Strings)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Feb 18, 202048:32
AaS! 121: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 7: A Correspondence from a Dear Friend)

AaS! 121: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 7: A Correspondence from a Dear Friend)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Feb 04, 202030:25
AaS! 120: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 6: We Should Probably Test This)

AaS! 120: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 6: We Should Probably Test This)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Jan 21, 202032:14
AaS! 119: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 5: Duality of the Fates)

AaS! 119: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 5: Duality of the Fates)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Jan 07, 202035:55
AaS! 118: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 4: What We Need is a Superhero)

AaS! 118: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 4: What We Need is a Superhero)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Dec 17, 201942:27
AaS! 117: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 3: Dimension is Destiny)

AaS! 117: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 3: Dimension is Destiny)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Dec 03, 201942:17
AaS! 116: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 2: Tuning the Strings)

AaS! 116: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 2: Tuning the Strings)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Nov 19, 201948:17
AaS! 115: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 1: Unify This!)

AaS! 115: Is String Theory Worth It? (Part 1: Unify This!)

How did String Theory get started? What has made the idea so popular over the decades? Can we ever truly have a theory of quantum gravity? What is supersymmetry, the landscape, and the AdS/CFT Correspondence? What do holograms have to do with this? How many dimensions do we live in? Why does String Theory have such a hard time making predictions? How are we supposed to judge a theory that isn’t done yet? It’s a non-stop String Theory bonanza as I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Space
Nov 05, 201949:57
AaS! 114: How did spectroscopy revolutionize astronomy?

AaS! 114: How did spectroscopy revolutionize astronomy?

How did chemists save astronomy? What’s so important about the spectrum, and how are they made? How can we tell what things in space are made out of? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Oct 15, 201931:38
AaS! 113: Is the James Webb Space Telescope worth the wait?

AaS! 113: Is the James Webb Space Telescope worth the wait?

Why is infrared astronomy so hard? How do we fit giant telescopes into tiny rockets? What will the James Webb uncover? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Oct 01, 201936:12
AaS! 112: Why can't I quantum tunnel myself?

AaS! 112: Why can't I quantum tunnel myself?

Where does the quantum world begin? Why do we have a hard time fundamentally understanding quantum systems? What connects quantum and classical physics? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Sep 17, 201939:01
AaS! 111: What's it like to fall into a black hole? (redux)

AaS! 111: What's it like to fall into a black hole? (redux)

What’s it like to fall into a black hole (again)? What does the outside universe look like? Is there any way to avoid your grisly fate at the singularity? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Sep 03, 201941:47
AaS! 110: Is the universe really predictable?

AaS! 110: Is the universe really predictable?

What is chaos theory? How can something be both deterministic and unpredictable? Is there are hope at all for physics? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Aug 20, 201925:36
AaS! 109: What are the mysterious cosmic strings?
Aug 06, 201928:36
AaS! 108: What do we learn from eclipses?

AaS! 108: What do we learn from eclipses?

Why is it so hard to predict solar eclipses? How did Newton and Halley team up to solve it? What have we learned from solar eclipses since then? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jul 16, 201932:24
AaS! 107: Is interstellar travel possible?

AaS! 107: Is interstellar travel possible?

How hard is interstellar travel? What are the possible ways to achieve the required energy? Is there anything at all feasible in the works? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jul 02, 201937:22
AaS! 106: How do we measure the expansion of the universe?

AaS! 106: How do we measure the expansion of the universe?

What’s the deal with redshift? How can we actually interpret velocities when it comes to cosmic expansion? And what’s with the recent tension over measuring the expansion rate? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jun 18, 201936:12
AaS! 105: Is everything a wave or a particle, and why does my head hurt?
Jun 04, 201927:02
AaS! 104: What turned Venus into hell?
May 21, 201924:07
AaS! 103: What's wrong with the cosmic calendar?

AaS! 103: What's wrong with the cosmic calendar?

What is the “cosmic calendar”? What are some important scales in the universe? Why is it so hard to judge “importance” of events? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
May 07, 201924:31
AaS! 102: What are the mighty clusters of galaxies?

AaS! 102: What are the mighty clusters of galaxies?

What are galaxy clusters made of, besides galaxies? How can we use them to understand dark matter? And how can we make pretend ones on a computer? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Apr 16, 201932:46
AaS! 101: What is the black hole information paradox?
Apr 02, 201926:36
AaS! 100: Why avoid the cosmic voids?
Mar 19, 201930:34
AaS! 99: Do we live in the multiverse?

AaS! 99: Do we live in the multiverse?

What’s the difference between the universe and the multiverse? How can cosmic inflation make bubble universes? Do those universes get different physics? If I travel far enough away, will I meet…myself? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Mar 05, 201935:57
AaS! 98: Who's in charge of the quantum world?
Feb 19, 201926:42
AaS! 97: What makes the strong force so strong?

AaS! 97: What makes the strong force so strong?

Why is the strong force better known as the “color force”? What’s the best way to think about protons and quarks? What do the Three Musketeers have to do with anything? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Feb 05, 201925:45