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    Physics

    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.

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    Copyright: © 2024 Why This Universe?

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    Latest Episodes:
    89 - A Dark Matter Vibe Check Oct 14, 2024

    Dan and Shalma have a candid conversation about the state of dark matter research, and the ways the field has changed over the last few years. For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, 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

    88 - Why Does Our Universe Exist At All? (Ft. Sean Carroll) Sep 23, 2024

    Why does something exist, rather than nothing? Special guest Sean Carroll helps us explore this deep philosophical question. 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

    87 - The Good and the Bad of Peer Review Sep 02, 2024

    There has been some criticism of the process scientists use to check each other's work. Today we take a deep dive into peer review to determine how broken it really is. 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

    28 - How Noether's Theorem Changed Physics (Rerun) Aug 05, 2024

    Learn how Noether's profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Enjoy this rerun of an earlier episode as we take our summer break. 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

    86 - The Life and Death of Stars Jul 02, 2024

    We explore the diverse world of stars in the universe, from those similar to our Sun to those totally unrecognizable. 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

    85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future Jun 17, 2024

    Today's episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change in the future. 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

    84 - The Search For New Worlds (ft. Josh Winn) Jun 03, 2024

    Hear how the search for exoplanets has developed, and what surprises it has brought so far. 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

    83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg) May 13, 2024

    Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974. 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

    82 - Science Vs. Pseudoscience Apr 29, 2024

    Pseudoscience can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the real thing. Today we discuss how philosophers of science have thought about this problem. 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

    81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy Apr 15, 2024

    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

    80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology Apr 01, 2024

    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

    79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli) Mar 18, 2024

    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

    78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller) Mar 04, 2024

    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
    77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm) Feb 05, 2024

    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
    76 - Do We Live in a Simulation? Jan 22, 2024

    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
    75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin) Jan 08, 2024

    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 - Is Space Flat or Curved? Dec 18, 2023

    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

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    74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman) Dec 04, 2023

    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

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    73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival) Nov 20, 2023

    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

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    72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen) Nov 06, 2023

    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

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    71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure Oct 23, 2023

    We 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

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    70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell) Oct 10, 2023

    Why 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.com/whythisuniverse.

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    Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity Sep 28, 2023

    CORRECTION: 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

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    69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND) Aug 28, 2023

    While 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 month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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    68 - The Age of the Universe Aug 14, 2023

    Today 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

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    6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness (Rebroadcast) Jul 31, 2023

    We 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.

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    67 - When Science Meets Spirituality (Ft. Alan Lightman) Jul 17, 2023

    Special 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.

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    66 - When Space Was Filled With Music Jul 03, 2023

    Shortly 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.

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    65 - Should We Build a Muon Collider? (Ft. Cari Cesarotti) May 22, 2023

    Special guest Cari Cesarotti tells us why so many particle physicists are itching to build a whole new type of particle collider.

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    64 - The Journey to the Big Bang May 08, 2023

    The 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

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    63 - The Question of Consciousness (Ft. David Chalmers) Apr 17, 2023

    Can 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

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    47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? (Rebroadcast) Mar 27, 2023

    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

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    62 - JWST and the Earliest Galaxies in the Universe (ft. Mike Boylan-Kolchin) Mar 13, 2023

    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

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    61 - Could the Large Hadron Collider Destroy the World? Feb 27, 2023

    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?

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    60 - The Search for Extra Dimensions Feb 13, 2023

    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

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    59 - The End of Everything (Ft. Katie Mack) Jan 09, 2023

    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

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    58 - The Risks of Science Populism Dec 12, 2022

    In today's different type of episode, we talk about the risks of a subtle kind of scientific misinformation.

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    57 - String Theory Part 3: Duality Nov 21, 2022

    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

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    56 - An Icy Neutrino Interruption Nov 07, 2022

    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

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    55 - String Theory Part 2: The First Superstring Revolution Oct 24, 2022

    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

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    54 - String Theory Part 1: What Is It? Oct 03, 2022

    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/whythisuniverse

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    53 - Why We Need a Theory of Quantum Gravity Sep 12, 2022

    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.com/whythisuniverse

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    52 - The Large Hadron Collider and All Its Glory Aug 22, 2022

    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

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    51 - Why Physicists Love Smashing Particles Together Aug 01, 2022

    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

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    50 - The Black Hole At the Center of the Milky Way Jul 11, 2022

    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!
    For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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    49 - When the Universe Changed in an Instant Jun 27, 2022

    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 Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

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    48 - A Wrong Picture Of Cosmology May 23, 2022

    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.

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    13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse? (Rebroadcast) May 09, 2022

    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

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    47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? Apr 25, 2022

    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

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    46 - The Cosmic Rays Raining Down On Us Apr 04, 2022

    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

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    25 - Do Extra Dimensions Exist? (Rebroadcast) Mar 14, 2022

    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

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    45 - The Wide World of Exoplanets (ft. Diana Powell) Feb 28, 2022

    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

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    44 - Our Deepest Theory: Quantum Field Theory Feb 14, 2022

    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

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    43 - Is Physics the Most Fundamental Subject? Jan 31, 2022

    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

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    42 - The Signal That Could Be the Dark Matter Jan 17, 2022

    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?

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    41 - The Hubble Tension: The Biggest Fight in Astronomy (ft. Wendy Freedman) Jan 03, 2022

    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?

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    40 - How Will JWST Change Astronomy? Dec 20, 2021

    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!

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    23 - Does Physics Allow for Free Will? (Rebroadcast) Nov 29, 2021

    Can free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics? Listen to this re-broadcast of one of our favorite episodes.

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    39 - Why Do Science Communication? (ft. Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham) Nov 15, 2021

    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

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    A Special Neutrino Update! (ft. Pedro Machado) Nov 01, 2021

    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.

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    38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses Oct 18, 2021

    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

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    37 - How Neutrinos Might Be Hinting at Dark Matter Oct 04, 2021

    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

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    36 - The Neutrino's Quantum Superpower Sep 20, 2021

    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

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    35 - The Chaos Underlying Everything (ft. David Grier) Sep 06, 2021

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

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    34 - Should Beauty Guide Physicists? Aug 23, 2021

    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

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    33 - Our Love Affair With Supersymmetry Aug 09, 2021

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

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    32 - The Mystery of the Higgs Boson's Mass Jul 26, 2021

    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

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    31 - If You Give an Astronomer a Neutrino Jul 12, 2021

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

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    30 - The Oldest Picture of the Universe Jun 28, 2021

    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

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    29 - How the Big Bang Won the Debate About the Beginning of Time Jun 14, 2021

    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

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    28 - How Emmy Noether Changed Physics Forever May 31, 2021

    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

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    12 - The Fight Between Modified Gravity and Dark Matter May 10, 2021

    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

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    3 - What in the World is Anti-Matter? Apr 26, 2021

    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

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    27 - What Does the Muon g-2 Result Mean for Physics? Apr 12, 2021

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

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    26 - Did Inflation Rip Apart the Early Universe? Mar 29, 2021

    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

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    25 - Could Extra Dimensions Exist? Mar 15, 2021

    How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions that are hidden from view?

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    24 - Breaking Down the Standard Model Mar 01, 2021

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

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    23 - Does Physics Allow for Free Will? Feb 15, 2021

    Can free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics?

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    22 - The Particle That Might Do It All (Axions!) Feb 01, 2021

    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!

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    21 - The Quantum Mechanics of Black Holes Jan 18, 2021

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

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    20 - Everything To Do About Black Holes Jan 04, 2021

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

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    19 - Why Does Science Work? Dec 21, 2020

    Does science get us closer to understanding what the universe is actually like, or is it just a useful tool to build technology with? Today we get philosophical and talk through this deep question!

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    18 - Could a Hyper-Advanced Civilization Resist Dark Energy? Nov 30, 2020

    If life in the universe survives into the far future, it will eventually come face to face with the accelerating expansion of the universe caused by dark energy. Could a hyper-advanced civilization find a way to fight it?

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    The State of The Universe #81 - Dr. Daniel Whiteson - The Standard Model and Its Many Quirks! Nov 23, 2020

    Today our feed is getting taken over by Brendan Drachler to bring you an episode of his show, The State of the Universe!
    Science moves at an impossibly fast pace. It will leave you wondering, what is the state of the universe? Wonder no more! Learn from researchers working at the cutting edge of scientific advancement about everything from the robot takeover to the big bang only on The State of The Universe podcast.
    Listen to the State of the Universe everywhere where podcasts are available. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-state-of-the-universe/id1429808898

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    17 - Why Haven't We Met Aliens? Nov 16, 2020

    Are there other intelligent civilizations out there, or are we alone here on Earth? And what have we done to try to find them?

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    16 - Where Is Life in the Universe? Nov 02, 2020

    What does it takes for a planet to support life? How different could extraterrestrial life be from what we see on Earth?

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    15 - What are Grand Unified Theories? Oct 19, 2020

    These theories aim to explain all of the fundamental forces (except gravity) in one neat package. How does it work?

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    14 - Why Does Time Move in One Direction? Oct 12, 2020

    What in the laws of physics differentiates between past and future? Is there a physical reason that time always moves forward?

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    13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse? Oct 05, 2020

    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.

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    12 - Please Stop Emailing Dan About MOND Sep 28, 2020

    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.

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    11 - Discovery Alert! Let's Talk About Gravitational Waves Sep 21, 2020

    You may have heard of the new gravitational wave discovery of September 2020. Here's everything you need to know to understand what this detection means for physics!

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    10 - What is Dark Energy? Sep 14, 2020

    Get introduced to one of the most mysterious characters in physics.

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    9 - Is Space Expanding? Sep 07, 2020

    Here's how a heated debate about whether our Milky Way galaxy is the entire universe led to the discovery of expanding space.

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    8 - Is Space Flat or Curved? Aug 31, 2020

    Learn how the geometry of space defies our intuition, and why it gave Einstein so much anxiety.

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    7 - Could Black Holes Be the Dark Matter? Aug 24, 2020

    Dark matter has eluded physicists for years - all we know is that it's some kind of matter that doesn't interact with light. Does that sound like a black hole to you?

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    6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness Aug 17, 2020

    Entanglement, wave-particle duality, and uncertainty - here's a breakdown of the weirdest and wildest things about quantum mechanics.

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    5 - How Dan Lost a Bet With Dark Matter Aug 10, 2020

    We revisit some of Dan's early predictions about dark matter, and talk about the biggest dark matter ideas and experiments of the last decade.

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    4 - Where Did the Antimatter Go? Aug 03, 2020

    Every time a particle of matter is made, a particle of antimatter is also made. So it seems like all matter ever created should have annihilated with antimatter, leaving behind an empty universe. But then... why is our universe filled with matter?

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    3 - What in the World Is Antimatter? Jul 26, 2020

    Learn how special relativity and quantum mechanics come together to make an odd prediction about matter.

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    2 - What's It Like to Discover Quantum Mechanics? Jul 20, 2020

    Quantum mechanics revolutionized our understanding of the universe. But have you ever wondered how it was first discovered? What's it like to live through such a dramatic scientific moment?

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    0 - Welcome to Why This Universe! Jul 13, 2020

    Learn more about the co-hosts, what this podcast is all about, and why we are making it!

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    1 - Why Are We So Sure About Dark Matter? Jul 13, 2020

    Dark matter sounds as mysterious as it is - an invisible form of matter that permeates our universe that physicists have not yet been able to detect! And yet, most physicists are extremely confident that it exists. Learn why!

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