Why This Universe?

Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

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.

  • 43 minutes 16 seconds
    81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy
    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/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
    15 April 2024, 3:54 pm
  • 16 minutes 39 seconds
    80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology
    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/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
    1 April 2024, 12:58 pm
  • 40 minutes 54 seconds
    79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)
    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/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
    18 March 2024, 3:48 pm
  • 38 minutes 30 seconds
    78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller)

    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://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

    Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe

    Support the show
    4 March 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 40 minutes 31 seconds
    77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)

    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/whythisuniverse

    Support the show
    5 February 2024, 12:00 am
  • 37 minutes 59 seconds
    76 - Do We Live in a Simulation?

    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
    22 January 2024, 10:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 1 second
    75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)

    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/whythisuniverse

    Support the show
    8 January 2024, 3:00 am
  • 24 minutes 23 seconds
    8 - Is Space Flat or Curved?

    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
    18 December 2023, 4:00 pm
  • 58 minutes 30 seconds
    74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)

    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
    4 December 2023, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)

    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
    20 November 2023, 1:00 pm
  • 43 minutes 31 seconds
    72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)

    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
    6 November 2023, 4:00 pm
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