The biggest ideas in physics, broken down. Join theoretical physicist Dan Hooper and co-host Shalma Wegsman as they answer your questions about dark matter, black holes, quantum mechanics, and more. Part of The University of Chicago Podcast Network.
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87 - The Good and the Bad of Peer Review
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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-…
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28 - How Noether's Theorem Changed Physics (Rerun)
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Learn how Noether's profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Enjoy this rerun of an earlier episode as we take our summer break.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available h…
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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-universe…
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85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future
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Today's episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change in the future.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-universe…
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84 - The Search For New Worlds (ft. Josh Winn)
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Hear how the search for exoplanets has developed, and what surprises it has brought so far.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-universePor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg)
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Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974.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-universe…
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Pseudoscience can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the real thing. Today we discuss how philosophers of science have thought about this problem.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-universe…
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The first episode in a new mini-series on philosophical problems in cosmology - Today we start with the origins of Western science and learn what the ancient Greeks thought about the cosmos.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.s…
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80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology
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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-universe…
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79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)
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Last year, an experiment called NanoGRAV made a surprising discovery of gravitational waves using pulsars around the universe. Special guest Chiara Mingarelli explains.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-t…
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78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller)
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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://patr…
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77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)
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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-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com…
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Is the world around us real, or are we living in someone's computer program? Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)
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We hear two physicists describe their lives collecting data in remote locations, from deep underground in an active mine and from the South Pole. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisunive…
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Learn how the geometry of space defies our intuition, and why it gave Einstein so much anxiety. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)
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Today we visit a turning point in the history of science: the discovery that the Earth is not at the center of the cosmos. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)
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Dan moderates a lively discussion on extraterrestrial life at the Chicago Humanities Festival. Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)
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Where does the musical octave come from? What makes a C note a C? Why do different instruments sound different? Special guest Tim Cohen comes on to answer these questions and more. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure
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We tell the story of how the Universe developed large scale structure, starting from the Big Bang to today. It could have all turned out very differently, if not for some key players. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell)
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Why This Universe hosts it's first ever live episode taping featuring guests Daniel Holz and Diana Powell. We discuss the possibility of intelligent life out in the Universe, the existential risks faced by humans on Earth, and the chance the intelligent life can persist in the Universe. This conversation took place during the University of Chicago …
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Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
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CORRECTION: We misspeak about the time of the event in the episode, we are really on at 3-4 pm CST! Apologies! Why This Universe is going live on October 3rd in Chicago, IL! RSVP for *free* here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ucpn-podcast-festival-tickets-717455076447?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse…
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69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND)
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While physicists overwhelmingly agree about the existence of dark matter, a select group of people aren't convinced. Instead, they believe we must be wrong about gravity, and claim we need a theory of modified gravity (MOND) instead. Recent press releases have claimed "smoking gun" evidence for this underdog theory, should we take them seriously? D…
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Today we are debunking the recent paper that claims our universe is much older than previously thought. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse For fun dinosaur facts and research, check out I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast, on Apple or wherever you get your…
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6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness (Rebroadcast)
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We are celebrating our 3 year anniversary with a throwback to one of our earliest episodes! Entanglement, wave-particle duality, and uncertainty - here's a breakdown of the weirdest and wildest things about quantum mechanics. To support our show and access exclusive ask-us-anything segments and more, join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/wh…
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67 - When Science Meets Spirituality (Ft. Alan Lightman)
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Special guest Alan Lightman takes us through a fascinating discussion of consciousness, and tells us how he reconciles spirituality with his materialist views. Todays episode is sponsored by the International Space Station. Join the ISS National Laboratory this August in Seattle at the 12th annual ISS Research and Development Conference. Visit ISSc…
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Shortly after the Big Bang, space was densely packed with enough stuff for sound to travel through it. What was producing sound in this era, and how can we hear it today? Todays episode is sponsored by the International Space Station. Join the ISS National Laboratory this August in Seattle at the 12th annual ISS Research and Development Conference.…
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65 - Should We Build a Muon Collider? (Ft. Cari Cesarotti)
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Special guest Cari Cesarotti tells us why so many particle physicists are itching to build a whole new type of particle collider. Support the showPor Shalma Wegsman, Dan Hooper
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The Big Bang is well accepted today as the leading theory of how our universe evolved over time - but in today's episode, we talk through all the very wrong theories that came before it. To get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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63 - The Question of Consciousness (Ft. David Chalmers)
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Can consciousness be explained by physics, or does it appeal to something beyond materialism? Philosopher guest star David Chalmers talks to us about how we can think about consciousness from a philosophical and scientific perspective. To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patr…
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47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? (Rebroadcast)
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A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain? This is a rebroadcast of a past favorite. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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62 - JWST and the Earliest Galaxies in the Universe (ft. Mike Boylan-Kolchin)
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Astronomers' newest telescope, JWST, just discovered galaxies that formed earlier than previously thought possible. What does this discovery mean for our understanding of the early universe? To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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61 - Could the Large Hadron Collider Destroy the World?
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Before the LHC turned on in 2008, many feared that it would create a dangerous black hole that would destroy the world. Were any of those fears well-founded, and how seriously did scientists take these claims? Support the showPor Shalma Wegsman, Dan Hooper
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Learn how extra dimensions of space might appear to us, and what physicists have done to try to find them. To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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59 - The End of Everything (Ft. Katie Mack)
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Special guest Katie Mack talks to us about how the universe might end. To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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In today's different type of episode, we talk about the risks of a subtle kind of scientific misinformation. Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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This episode will hurt your brain, or your money back. To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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We interrupt our regular episodes to cover the exciting new discovery that the IceCube Neutrino Observatory announced on November 3rd, 2022. To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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55 - String Theory Part 2: The First Superstring Revolution
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We pick up the story of string theory and explore the explosion of interest it experienced in the mid 1980s. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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54 - String Theory Part 1: What Is It?
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Last time, we introduced the biggest open problem in theoretical physics - the problem of combining gravity with quantum mechanics. In this first part of a three-part series, we introduce the leading candidate for how to do that: String Theory. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythis…
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53 - Why We Need a Theory of Quantum Gravity
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Quantum mechanics and general relativity are two of the most successful theories of science ever, but they don't necessarily fit together. Learn why physicists are trying so hard to discover a quantum theory of gravity, and why it's been such a challenge. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.…
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52 - The Large Hadron Collider and All Its Glory
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We pick up last episode's theme of particle colliders and dive into the most exciting one running today - the LHC. What is it, how does it work, and what new physics can it still reveal? For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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51 - Why Physicists Love Smashing Particles Together
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For the past century, physicists have been building particle colliders as a way to learn about the fundamental laws of physics. Today we talk about why smashing particles together has proven to be such a powerful tool. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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50 - The Black Hole At the Center of the Milky Way
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On May 12, 2022 astronomers revealed an image of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Today we tell the story of what made this image possible. Today's episode is sponsored by Wren. Sign up through https://www.wren.co/universe to make a difference in the climate crisis, and Wren will plant 10 extra trees in your name! …
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49 - When the Universe Changed in an Instant
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Just like water changing to ice when it freezes, there were times in the universe's early history when reality changed in almost an instant. Today we dive into these cosmological phase transitions, and speculate about the strange objects these types of instant changes can create. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on …
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When cosmology was still an infant science, a daring physicist wrote a theory of the beginning of time. We revisit this theory and see what value we can still glean from it today. Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse? (Rebroadcast)
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Today we explore different interpretations of quantum mechanics, from Copenhagen to the many-worlds hypothesis, in an attempt to uncover what quantum reality really is. This episode is a rebroadcast of one of our early favorites. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Suppor…
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47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion?
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A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain? For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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46 - The Cosmic Rays Raining Down On Us
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Here on Earth, we are constantly being showered by particles from outer space called cosmic rays. What do we know about where these particles really come from? For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showPor Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
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25 - Do Extra Dimensions Exist? (Rebroadcast)
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Today we are rebroadcasting an earlier episode all about extra dimensions - How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions that are hidden from view? For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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45 - The Wide World of Exoplanets (ft. Diana Powell)
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Special guest Dr. Diana Powell gives us the lay down on the field of exoplanet research, and on how these recent discoveries may shed light on the question of extraterrestrial life. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…
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