Dan Hooper Shalma Wegsman Podcasts

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…

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…

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 showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

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 show

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 show

In today's different type of episode, we talk about the risks of a subtle kind of scientific misinformation. Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

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 show

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 show

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 show

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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! …

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 …

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 show

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…

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 show

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 show

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…

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…

Today 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

Some 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…

Dan 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 showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

When 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

Today 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 showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Can 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 showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Daniel 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…

Today we unpack the latest neutrino results from Fermilab's MicroBoone experiment. Special guest Pedro Machado helps us understand what they mean for the future of neutrino research. Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

The neutrino's non-zero mass is an anomaly, but one that leads to a promising new dark matter candidate - the sterile neutrino. Could this be it? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Today we discuss neutrino oscillations - their ability to transform between different types – and the quantum mechanics that makes it possible. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Learn about the chaotic motion that underlies even the most ordered structures, including life. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Some physics theories are admired for being beautiful, but does that mean they are more likely to be true? Or could chasing beauty lead us astray? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Hear why supersymmetry was special enough to win over physicists hearts, and why faith in it might be dying out. Support the show

Today we explore one of the biggest and most frustrating open problems of particle physics - the hierarchy problem. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Learn how astronomers are using invisible particles to see what we've never seen before! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Learn about the oldest light in the universe - the cosmic microwave background - and how it became a treasure trove of cosmological insight. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Hear what proved to physicists that the universe started with the Big Bang - and the one person who was never convinced. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Learn how a profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

A rerun of one of our favorite episodes ever. Some physicists have considered the possibility that dark matter might not exist - and that instead, it's our theories of gravity which are wrong. Today we take a deep dive into these theories of modified gravity. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show…

A re-post of one of our favorite early episodes. Learn how special relativity and quantum mechanics come together to make an odd prediction about matter. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Get our introduction to the measurement that might prove the Standard Model wrong! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

The Big Bang theory leaves us with some open questions, and the theory of inflation might have the answers. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions that are hidden from view? Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Take a deep dive into (a contender) for the most successful theory of physics ever! Support the show

Can free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics? Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Today we talk about the theoretical particle at the forefront of current research. Learn how axions might explain not one but *two* open problems in physics! Support the showBy Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Here's what happens when we introduce quantum mechanics to one of the weirdest objects in the universe. Hint - things get hairy. Support the show

Today we talk about black holes - from their early history to their role in the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics. Support the show