“Welcome to the Universe in 3D: A Visual Tour” with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astronomy tells the story of humanity’s journey from viewing the sky as a flat, two-dimensional dome to understanding it as a vast, dynamic, and ever-expanding three-dimensional universe. This narrative of progress reflects not only advances in scientific observation and technology but also a profound shift in how we perceive our place in the cosmos. This enduring story has been told through countless books, brought to life in words, and crafted into both prose and poetry. But imagine a book that goes beyond simply telling the tale—a book that invites you to actively engage with it, exploring the depths of the universe as unveiled by the most advanced astronomical research and discoveries of our time.

The book “Welcome to the Universe in 3D: A Visual Tour” invites you on a captivating journey through the observable universe, showcasing some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the cosmos—in stunning 3D. Featuring a dazzling collection of stereoscopic color images, the book brings the universe to life like never before. With a special stereo viewer conveniently folded into the book’s cover, you can experience your cosmic surroundings in a breathtaking new dimension. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson, one of the authors of this fascinating and truly one-of-a-kind book.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the leading science communicators in the world. He leads the world-renowned Hayden Planetarium of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where he is the first occupant of its Frederick P. Rose Directorship. He is also a research associate of the Museum’s Department of Astrophysics.

Neill DeGrasse Tyson appeared as the on-camera host of NOVA ScienceNOW for five seasons, beginning in the fall of 2006. He served as Executive Science Editor and on-camera Host & Narrator for Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey, the 21st century continuation of Carl Sagan’s landmark television series. He later returned as the host for the following season of Cosmos, titled Cosmos: Possible Worlds.

In the summer of 2009, Tyson assembled a group of professional stand-up comedians to help him bring science to commercial radio through the NSF-funded pilot program StarTalk. This initiative has since evolved into a widely popular podcast.

Tyson has been awarded 27 honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal. His contributions to science are commemorated with the naming of asteroid “13123 Tyson” and an Indian leaping frog species, “Indirani tysoni”.

We begin by exploring the origins of the idea for a book featuring a built-in stereoscopic viewer. This leads to a fascinating discussion about the science and technology behind creating 3D stereoscopic images, which come to life through the intricate work of the human brain. The conversation then delves into the intriguing concept that objects in the night sky, which appear as if pasted on a flat, two-dimensional dome, were eventually understood to exist in a universe with depth.

We reflect on humanity’s initial realization that the sky is not a simple two-dimensional surface, discussing how we came to understand the universe’s true three-dimensional nature. The concept of parallax, a key to this revelation, is also explored. Moving on, we examine some of the book’s most captivating images, each showcasing the depth and wonder of the cosmos.

Our discussion broadens to address the current challenges of science communication in an era of misinformation and disinformation. We touch on the critical role of policymakers in promoting science as a societal good. Looking ahead, we consider the future of space exploration and humanity’s place among the stars.

This has been a captivating and enlightening conversation, filled with moments of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s signature laughter. We conclude with his inspiring words: “Very happy to help you and others bridge whatever gaps need bridged.”

Complement this discussion with “The Joy of Science” with Professor Jim Al-Khalili and then listen to “A Traveller’s Guide to the Stars” with Physicist, Author and Nasa Technologist Les Johnson.

By |December 28th, 2024|Cosmology, Physics, Podcasts|
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“The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience” with Professor Adam Frank

The Blind Spot Reviewed on Bridging the Gaps

Since the Enlightenment, humanity has turned to science to answer profound questions about who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed. However, we’ve become stuck in the belief that we can fully understand the universe by viewing it from a detached, external perspective. In focusing solely on external physical realities, imagined from this objective standpoint, we overlook the vital role of our own lived experience. This is the “Blind Spot” that astrophysicist Adam Frank, theoretical physicist Marcelo Gleiser, and philosopher Evan Thompson discuss in their book “The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience”. They identify this “Blind Spot” as the root of many modern scientific challenges —whether it’s in understanding time and the origin of the universe, quantum physics, the nature of life, artificial intelligence, consciousness, or Earth’s function as a planetary system. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with astrophysicist Adam Frank.

Adam Frank is a renowned astrophysicist and professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester. He is a leading expert on the final stages of stellar evolution, particularly for stars like the sun. At the University of Rochester, his computational research group has developed cutting-edge supercomputer tools to study the formation and death of stars. A passionate advocate for science, Frank describes himself as an “evangelist of science,” dedicated not only to uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos but also to sharing the beauty and power of science with the public. He is equally committed to exploring science’s broader role within culture, emphasising its relevance and context in our understanding of the world. His contributions to the field have earned him prestigious recognition, including the Carl Sagan Medal.

In this discussion we delve into why it is crucial to recognize this “Blind Spot” and the profound implications it has for how we approach science and knowledge. By focusing solely on external, objective facts, we miss a deeper understanding of reality—one that includes our subjective experience as an integral part of the equation. This Blind Spot has led to significant challenges in fields like quantum physics, cosmology, and the study of consciousness, where the limitations of purely objective observation become evident.

We also explore an alternative vision for science: that scientific knowledge should not be viewed as a fixed, immutable set of facts, but rather as a dynamic, evolving narrative. This narrative emerges from the constant interplay between the external world and our lived experience of it. In this view, science becomes a process of continuous self-correction, where both the observer and the observed are part of an evolving relationship. Frank stresses that recognizing this interplay allows us to break free from the illusion of absolute knowledge and opens up a more holistic, adaptive, and integrated way of understanding the universe. This shift in perspective has the potential to reshape how we approach not only scientific inquiry but also our relationship with reality itself. This has been an incredibly enlightening and deeply informative discussion, offering valuable insights and fresh perspective.

Complement this discussion with “The Joy of Science” with Professor Jim Al-Khalili and the listen to “Sharing Our Science: How to Write and Speak STEM” with Professor Brandon Brown

By |September 22nd, 2024|Future, Knowledge, Philosophy, Physics, Podcasts|
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“Worlds Without End: Exoplanets, Habitability, and the Future of Humanity” With Professor Chris Impey

When considering the long-term survival and sustainability of human civilization, two developments hold significant implications. Firstly, humanity has been recklessly depleting resources, causing species extinctions, and degrading essential elements for life on Earth for centuries. Secondly, advancements in the science of discovering habitable planets outside our solar system have opened up the possibility of establishing human civilization beyond our increasingly inhospitable planetary home. In his latest book, “Worlds Without End: Exoplanets, Habitability, and the Future of Humanity,” Professor Chris Impey takes readers on a thrilling journey through the frontiers of astronomy and the search for planets that can potentially support life. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with Professor Impey about the science behind finding habitable exoplanets, the evolution of space exploration, and the prospect of humans inhabiting a planet far away from our solar system.

Chris Impey is a University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the University of Arizona. He has made significant contributions to the fields of observational cosmology, astrophysics, particularly in the area of exoplanet research. His expertise and passion for the subject have led to many publications and appearances in documentaries, news outlets, and popular science programmes. He has won numerous teaching awards and authored textbooks and many popular science books.

We begin our discussion by examining the historical perspectives on exoplanets, planets beyond our solar system. We then delve into the discovery of the first exoplanet and explore the various methods that scientists have employed to detect these far-off worlds. The Kepler Space Telescope played a pivotal role in this field, and we explore how the James Webb Telescope presents new opportunities for advancing exoplanet research. The diversity of exoplanets is astounding, with variations in size, composition, and orbital characteristics. We delve into these differences and their implications. Additionally, we thoroughly examine the concept of habitability, including how scientists are studying the atmospheric characteristics of these alien worlds. We also touch on the intriguing possibility of orphan planets – large planets without a star – that may sustain habitability characteristics without a sun. We then contemplate the prospect of travelling to these distant planets and potentially establishing human settlements there. We explore the magnitude of such a journey and the challenges involved in interstellar travel. Lastly, we consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life in the universe.

Complement this discussion with Search for Exoplanets: A Discussion with Professor Sara Seager and then listen to “The End of Astronauts”, Robotic Space Exploration and Our Future on Earth and Beyond with Professor Martin Rees”

By |April 16th, 2023|Cosmology, Future, Physics|
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