Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
599 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 2.1K ratingsA fun-filled discussion of the big, mind-blowing, unanswered questions about the Universe. In each episode, Daniel Whiteson (a Physicist who works at CERN) and Jorge Cham (a popular online cartoonist) discuss some of the simple but profound questions that people have been wondering about for thousands of years, explaining the science in a fun, shorts-wearing and jargon-free way.
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Episodes
Could the Universe be shaped like a donut?
June 07, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about how much dark chocolate can fit in Universes of various shapes and sizes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where is most of Earth's water?
June 02, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBDaniel and Katie drink deeply of the mystery of the Earth's formation and contents and talk about whether Earth's water might be hiding deep within the planet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if gravity were much stronger?
May 31, 2022 05:00 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBDaniel and Jorge answer listener questions about gravity, the CMB and distant disappearing objects! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tech in the Great Outdoors
May 26, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBWe often think of technology as stuff that keeps us sitting at home, wired to our phones or computers or game systems. But there's an entire world of technology designed to inspire you to get outside and go exploring. We look at how tech can play a part in getting back to nature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does our black hole look like?
May 26, 2022 05:00 - 56 minutes - 52.2 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the recent picture of the black hole at the heart of the Milky Way See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is the whole Universe spinning?
May 24, 2022 05:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about whether the whole Universe can spin, and whether it is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is a particle?
May 19, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBDaniel and Jorge grapple with this particularly tricky and philosophical question. Music credit: https://theamberbugs.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can we defend the Earth from deadly space rocks?
May 17, 2022 05:00 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBDaniel and Kelly talk about where space rocks come from, how dangerous they are and what humanity can do about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does the NICER telescope study?
May 12, 2022 04:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBDaniel and Jorge explain how an X-ray telescope works and what it reveals about the inside of neutron stars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can we escape a black hole with a warp drive or wormhole?
May 10, 2022 04:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about whether loopholes and wormholes will let you escape black holes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Creature Feature: The Physics of Animal Color
May 07, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBAn episode of Creature Feature where Daniel and Katie talk about the physics of how animals look so brilliant, and how some people can see in the UV. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can the human eye see a single photon?
May 05, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBDaniel and Katie talk about the physics of color and whether the eyeball is a quantum measurement device. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Introducing: Spyology Squad
May 04, 2022 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.66 MBHi, Daniel and Jorge fans! If the children in your life are as curious as you are, we have the perfect podcast for them. Spyology Squad is an adventurous and educational podcast for kids 6-12 who love science and solving problems. Check out the trailer to see if this show is what the little ones you love will enjoy! Show description: Packed with adventure every week! In Spyology Squad, you’ll follow Jayden, Ava, and Mr. Jim as they work to defeat Dr. Stinkybreath and his Purple Ninjas! Ever...
What came first matter or energy?
May 03, 2022 04:00 - 52 minutes - 48 MBDaniel and Jorge answer listener questions about the solar system and the early Universe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What can neutrinos teach us about supernovas?
April 28, 2022 05:00 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBDaniel and Jorge explore what we can learn about the Universe's biggest explosions using ghostly particles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is the W boson too massive?
April 26, 2022 04:00 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the recent measurement of the W mass that shocked particle physicists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is nuclear power worth the risks?
April 21, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 62 MBDaniel and Kelly talk about whether we need nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions, and whether it can be done safely. https://www.smbc-comics.com/soonish/lostchapter/index.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The science fiction universe of "Lost in Space"
April 19, 2022 05:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBDaniel and Jorge talk to Kari Drake, writer on "Lost in Space" about the science of that Universe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What are zombie stars?
April 14, 2022 05:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about stars that die, and then come back to shine again! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if the speed of light were slower?
April 11, 2022 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBDaniel and Jorge answer listener questions about ice ages, black holes and the speed of light. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is it dangerous to send messages to aliens?
April 07, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about whether attempts to communicate with extra terrestrial civilizations are worth the risk. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are there particles that don't have anti-particles?
April 05, 2022 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBDaniel and Jorge discuss whether Majorana particles are real, and crack a real life mystery about the fate of Ettore Majorana. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How big can a comet get?
March 31, 2022 05:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBDaniel and Katie talk about the biggest possible scoop of solar-system gelato, and what it might mean for the future of humanity! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What could aliens teach us about the Universe?
March 29, 2022 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBDaniel talks to Noam Chomsky about how to communicate with aliens? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What will the new probes to Venus reveal?
March 24, 2022 05:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the mysteries of Venus and what the next generation of probes might teach us. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could we build a particle collider on the moon?
March 22, 2022 05:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBDaniel and Katie talk about what such a huge collider could reveal, and whether it would be a good idea. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can molton salt reactors produce electricity safely?
March 17, 2022 05:00 - 46 minutes - 43.1 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about alternative designs for fission plants that could produce electricity much more safely. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to take over the world
March 15, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBDaniel and Jorge talk to Ryan North about how to use science to become a supervillain Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can we put black holes to work for us?
March 10, 2022 06:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBDaniel and Jorge discuss how the twisted spacetime around a spinning black hole can be used to pull energy from a black hole. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do stars twinkle?
March 08, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBDaniel and Jorge sing a scientific song about the many reasons a star might twinkle. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is dark radiation?
March 03, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about whether dark matter feels dark forces. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is the future of exoplanet research?
March 01, 2022 06:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBDaniel and Jorge talk to planet hunter Dr. Jesse Christiansen about what we have learned and what we might learn about exoplanets! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where does the Higgs get its mass?
February 24, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBDaniel and Jorge wonder: if the Higgs gives mass to the other particles, how does it get mass itself? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can you roast a marshmallow in space, and other listener questions.
February 22, 2022 06:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about space marshmallows, our cosmic date with Andromeda, and surviving micrometeors. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is there Uranium on Uranus?
February 17, 2022 06:00 - 50 minutes - 46 MBDaniel and Kelly probe a heavy question about heavy metals on Uranus. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does the Universe have a preferred direction?
February 15, 2022 06:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the hypothesis that there is a cosmological Axis of Evil Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why does the Higgs boson like Mexican hats?
February 10, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the strange properties of the Higgs boson, and why its special powers are linked to a sombrero. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can we build a wormhole?
February 08, 2022 06:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the latest ideas for how to make human portals to distant space. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener questions about alien tech, the Earth's orbit and its future!
February 03, 2022 06:00 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBDaniel and Jorge answer questions from listeners like you. Submit your questions to [email protected] Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is there an explanation for the Universe, or is it random?
February 01, 2022 06:00 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBDaniel and Katie explore the anthropic principle and whether it can provide some understanding of why the Universe is the way it is. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The next revolution in theoretical physics
January 27, 2022 06:00 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBDaniel and Jorge explain Constructor Theory, a new way to approach building theories of everything. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could our galaxy have a dark matter center?
January 25, 2022 06:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBDaniel and Jorge explore the idea that the center of the galaxy might hold a huge blob of dark matter rather than a black hole. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could life have started much earlier in the Universe?
January 20, 2022 06:00 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBDaniel and Katie talk about what life needs and whether it could have started much earlier in the Universe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The mysterious phenomenon of turning sound into light
January 18, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about sonoluminescence, a mystery that has evaded explanation for almost 100 years. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do we know where dark matter is?
January 13, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about where dark matter is in the Universe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's happening to the Hyades Cluster?
January 11, 2022 06:00 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBDaniel and Kelly talk about the dramatic brutal cosmic fate of the Hyades Cluster. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why black holes are actually bright.
January 06, 2022 06:00 - 55 minutes - 51.3 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the incredible, ironic brightness of black holes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What happens when stars collide?
January 04, 2022 06:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the chances of two stars smashing, and whether we could survive. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did this particle cause the Big Bang?
December 30, 2021 06:00 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBDaniel and Jorge talk about the inflaton particle, and whether its responsible for EVERYTHING. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if the asteroid hadn't killed the dinosaurs?
December 28, 2021 06:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBDaniel and Jorge answer listener questions and give a special birthday shout out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.