Why This Universe?
93 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago -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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Episodes
81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy
April 15, 2024 15:54 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBThe 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/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
80 - A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology
April 01, 2024 12:58 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBHear 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
80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology
April 01, 2024 12:58 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBHear 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
79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)
March 18, 2024 15:48 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBLast 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/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller)
March 04, 2024 14:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBWhat'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/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show
77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)
February 05, 2024 00:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBQuantum 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/whythisuniverse Support the show
76 - Do We Live in a Simulation?
January 22, 2024 22:00 - 37 minutes - 26.2 MBIs 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
75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)
January 08, 2024 03:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBWe 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/whythisuniverse Support the show
74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)
December 04, 2023 16:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBToday 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
73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)
November 20, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBDan 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
72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)
November 06, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBWhere 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
71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure
October 23, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBWe 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
70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell)
October 10, 2023 12:00 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBWhy 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 Podcast Network festival. For access to ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.c...
Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
September 28, 2023 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.92 MBCORRECTION: 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 Support the show
69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND)
August 28, 2023 19:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBWhile 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? Did you know this episode was inspired by a Patreon question? For access to ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a m...
68 - The Age of the Universe
August 14, 2023 15:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBToday 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 podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-know-dino-the-big-dinosaur-podcast/id960976813?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=2 Support the show
6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness (Rebroadcast)
July 31, 2023 12:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBWe 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/whythisuniverse. Support the show
67 - When Science Meets Spirituality (Ft. Alan Lightman)
July 17, 2023 18:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBSpecial 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 ISSconference.org to register now. Support the show
66 - When Space Was Filled With Music
July 03, 2023 16:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBShortly 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. Visit ISSconference.org to register now. Support the show
65 - Should We Build a Muon Collider? (Ft. Cari Cesarotti)
May 22, 2023 13:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBSpecial guest Cari Cesarotti tells us why so many particle physicists are itching to build a whole new type of particle collider. Support the show
64 - The Journey to the Big Bang
May 08, 2023 12:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThe 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
63 - The Question of Consciousness (Ft. David Chalmers)
April 17, 2023 14:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBCan 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://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? (Rebroadcast)
March 27, 2023 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBA 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
62 - JWST and the Earliest Galaxies in the Universe (ft. Mike Boylan-Kolchin)
March 13, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBAstronomers' 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
61 - Could the Large Hadron Collider Destroy the World?
February 27, 2023 22:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBBefore 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 show
60 - The Search for Extra Dimensions
February 13, 2023 13:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBLearn 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 show
59 - The End of Everything (Ft. Katie Mack)
January 09, 2023 14:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBSpecial 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 show
58 - The Risks of Science Populism
December 12, 2022 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.94 MBIn today's different type of episode, we talk about the risks of a subtle kind of scientific misinformation. Support the show
57 - String Theory Part 3: Duality
November 21, 2022 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBThis 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 show
56 - An Icy Neutrino Interruption
November 07, 2022 13:00 - 28 minutes - 20 MBWe 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 show
55 - String Theory Part 2: The First Superstring Revolution
October 24, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBWe 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 show
54 - String Theory Part 1: What Is It?
October 03, 2022 21:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBLast 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/whythisuniverse Support the show
53 - Why We Need a Theory of Quantum Gravity
September 12, 2022 21:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBQuantum 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.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
52 - The Large Hadron Collider and All Its Glory
August 22, 2022 19:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBWe 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
51 - Why Physicists Love Smashing Particles Together
August 01, 2022 19:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBFor 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
50 - The Black Hole At the Center of the Milky Way
July 11, 2022 20:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBOn 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! For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
49 - When the Universe Changed in an Instant
June 27, 2022 21:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBJust 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 Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
48 - A Wrong Picture Of Cosmology
May 23, 2022 15:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBWhen 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 show
13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse? (Rebroadcast)
May 09, 2022 14:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBToday 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 Support the show
47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion?
April 25, 2022 15:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBA 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 show
46 - The Cosmic Rays Raining Down On Us
April 04, 2022 13:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBHere 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 show
25 - Do Extra Dimensions Exist? (Rebroadcast)
March 14, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBToday 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
45 - The Wide World of Exoplanets (ft. Diana Powell)
February 28, 2022 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBSpecial 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
44 - Our Deepest Theory: Quantum Field Theory
February 14, 2022 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBToday we attempt to break down the basics of quantum field theory - our deepest theory of physics yet. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
43 - Is Physics the Most Fundamental Subject?
January 31, 2022 13:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBSome people like to claim that psychology is just applied biology, which is just applied chemistry, which is just applied physics, and so on. Is there any truth to this? Or is it just our egos getting the better of us? For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
42 - The Signal That Could Be the Dark Matter
January 17, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBDan shares one of the biggest stories of his career - his discovery of an excess of gamma rays at the center of the Milky Way. Is this a sign of dark matter, or is it something less mysterious? Support the show
41 - The Hubble Tension: The Biggest Fight in Astronomy (ft. Wendy Freedman)
January 03, 2022 13:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBWhen different groups of astronomers measure the expansion rate of space, they get different answers. Who's right? Or are they both right, and new physics is afoot? Support the show
40 - How Will JWST Change Astronomy?
December 20, 2021 10:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBToday we dive into the world's shiny new space telescope - JWST. Learn why are physicists and astronomers are so excited about it, and what new secrets of the universe it might reveal. Keep your eye out for its launch later this week! Support the show
23 - Does Physics Allow for Free Will? (Rebroadcast)
November 29, 2021 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBCan free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics? Listen to this re-broadcast of one of our favorite episodes. Support the show
39 - Why Do Science Communication? (ft. Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham)
November 15, 2021 11:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBDaniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham talk to us about what science communication means to them. Listen to their podcast, Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-daniel-and-jorge-explain-t-29862087/ Support WTU on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show