“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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“Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space” with Dr Erika Nesvold

Off Earth book reviewed at Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

As humanity sets its sights on venturing beyond the confines of Earth, it is immensely important to acknowledge that the journey to space is not merely a technological feat, but a profoundly human endeavour. From pinpointing destinations to preparing flight plans, from developing generational ships to designing habitats, from selecting teams to establishing communities, there is a crucial element that must not be overlooked: the human dimension. From fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among spacefarers to grappling with the enforcement of laws and the establishment of governance structures in extraterrestrial settlements, addressing these aspects is essential for the success and sustainability of our off-world endeavours. Erika Nesvold’s insightful book “Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space” serves as a timely reminder that space exploration isn’t solely about the scientific and technical aspects—it’s about grappling with the very human dilemmas that accompany such endeavours. In the episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with Dr Erika Nesvold.

Dr Erika Nesvold is an astrophysicist who has worked as a researcher at NASA Goddard and the Carnegie Institution for Science. She is a developer for Universe Sandbox, a physics-based space simulator. She is a co-founder of the nonprofit organisation the JustSpace Alliance. Erika is the creator and host of the podcast Making New Worlds.

We began by discussing the significance of understanding the human aspect of space exploration. The book covers a wide variety of topics and in our discussion we touch upon ethical, social and legal complexities that must be understood and adopted or redeveloped for our extraterrestrial settlements. We also discuss the concepts and principles that can be borrowed from the laws and charters devised during humanity’s exploration of open seas and oceans. Central to our discussion is the importance of initiating a dialogue now to foster an understanding of how our humanity intersects with the challenges and opportunities presented by space exploration. This understanding, we discuss, is fundamental in shaping a future that upholds ethical principles and fosters social equity.

Complement this discussion with “A Traveller’s Guide to the Stars” with Physicist, Author and Nasa Technologist Les Johnson and then listen to “The Next 500 Years: Engineering Life to Reach New Worlds” with Professor Christopher Mason.

By |April 28th, 2024|Future, Podcasts, Research|
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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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