StarTalk Radio

How did Uranus get its name? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explain all the things you thought you knew about the names of the planets and moons in our solar system, the formation of the moon, and the constellations. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-a-constellati...

Programmed…to kill! On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly sit down with BattleBots’ Ray Billings to discuss combat robots, his killer robot Tombstone, and how to create robotics for competition.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/killer-bots-with-battlebots-ray-billing...

What is string theory? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Jordan Klepper answer fan questions about solar system formation, dark matter, and the expansion of spacetime. What would travelling at the speed of light look like? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-smarty-pants-tras...

Why do we like being scared? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the haunting effects of horror and recreational fear with horror scholar and author, Mathias Clasen, and neuroscientist, Heather Berlin, PhD.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Jessica Giancola, Jeff States, seth 06, Matthew...

What was Coriolis, of the Coriolis Effect, doing at the pool table? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice explore the science behind billiards and pool trick shots with billiard physicist Dr. Dave Alciatore. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/pool-table-physics-with-dr-...

What do you learn from going to space? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and guest co-host comedian Jordan Klepper answer patron questions about living in space with engineer and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott. What’s the Overview Effect? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Elisa, terrell robinson, Adorak, Leo Azir Ra, Aaron Isa...

What’s a supervolcano? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen discover all types of volcanoes in the solar system with cosmochemist and author of Fire and Ice , Natalie Starkey. Is there such a thing as an ice volcano? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons ILAN CAPONE, Ricardo Torres, Boiphamet, Sebast...

What matters more: nature or nurture? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice explore what creates expert performers with CEO of Character Lab Dr. Angela Duckworth, featuring our interview with Eli Manning. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons DanO, Jerad Sorber, Joseph Mcpolin, Jacqueline S...

Why do we need a Space Force? Neil deGrasse Tyson & co-host Chuck Nice break down the newest branch of the US military, The Space Force, with Charles Liu, Major General DeAnna Burt and Dr. Moriba Jah. How much of your life is touched by space? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Lisa Cotton, Luis Stark, Oscar h, Travis Mansfield...

What happens when nature commits a crime? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Paul Mecurio discuss law-breaking animals with Mary Roach and her new book Fuzz: When Nature Breaks The Law. Can we hack nature? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-animal-outlaws-with-mary-roach/ Tha...

The observer effect? Rotating bodies? The science of rocket fuel? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice answer science questions from our favorite pro athletes: Jerry Rice, Lindsey Vonn, Eli Manning, and more! NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Ken Abe, Al Long, Chloe Rudel-Holland, Sara...

How did we save the ozone layer? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice break down the campaign to save the ozone layer with atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon and sustabaility expert Stephen Andersen. What can we apply to the climate crisis? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-in-the-o-zone-s...

How long would it take to cook a pizza outside on Venus? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice discuss the physics of surface temperature, the size of ~wAvEs~, and the meaning of horsepower. Could horses get you to space? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/things-you-thought-you-kne...

Does weed make you faster? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice hash out the effects of cannabis with neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School and director of the MIND Program Dr. Staci Gruber. Is smoking dope really doping? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/reefer-madness-with-dr-sta...

Exoplanets? Low Mass Stars? Goldilocks zones? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Negin Farsad explore the universe of exoplanets, science communication, and acting with astronomer and speaker Dr. Aomawa Shields. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Jacob D. Fisher, Siosiua Hufanga, Thomas Cochran, Jasmine, Lou...

Can you hear colors? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore science through art in Van Gogh’s Starry Night with art historian Roberta Olson, astronomer Jay Pasachoff, and neuroscientist Heather Berlin. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/starry-starry-night-with-roberta-olson-...

Do swimmers need less oxygen? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice answer patron questions about athletics and science with Geek-in-Chief astrophysicist Charles Liu. Could Chuck be a gymnast? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-jiggle-wiggle-waggle-walk-w...

Do video games really turn your mind to mush? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the effects of video games and eSports on the brain with neuroscientist Dr. Heather Berlin at PocketLab’s Science Is Cool Virtual Unconference. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Jeff Simon, Chazz Gencarelli, Anthony Mannetti,...

How do we know the age of stars? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Paul Mecurio answer fan questions about stars, black hole collisions, the speed of light, and the present crisis in cosmology. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-grab-bag-cosmology-crisis-with-paul-mecurio/ T...

Shoot an arrow without arms? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly & Chuck Nice explore Olympic events– swimming, archery, and skateboarding– with materials scientist Jud Ready, “Armless Archer” Matt Stutzman, and Bill “Dr. Skateboard” Robertson. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Nicholas Grigalashvili, Jilam Dickson,...

Terraforming mars? How do black holes die? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer questions about the moon, periodic table of elements, light photons, black holes and more! NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-galactic-grab-bag-blue-steel/ Thanks to our Patrons Jo...

Throwing? Jumping? Wrestling? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the physics of some of the original Olympic events with Geek-in-Chief and astrophysicist Charles Liu. Is there an ultimate technique to winning gold? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/olympic-physics-throwdo...

Can mushrooms take over your mind? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen explore the weird world of fungi with fun-guy fungus expert and ecologist, Merlin Sheldrake. Could inactive spores survive space? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-the-fungus-among-us-with-mer...

Bezos? Branson? Elon Musk? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice break down why all these billionaires are going to space, how achieving orbit works, and how to wrap our heads around exponentially large numbers. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-billiona...

Do athletes use artificial intelligence? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly & Chuck Nice answer patron questions about the Olympics and have a nerd fight with physics professor and martial artist John Eric Goff. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Dave Armstrong, Jamie Ferns, Sam Arnold, Jesse Pinett...