This year marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of the first telescope. On this week’s show, we reflect on how telescopes have shifted our perspective on how small we are in size, space, and time. We also discuss how they help astronomer

#ICYMI: Planet NASCAR, with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Aug 10th, 2017 47m 38s

Is Planet NASCAR governed by the same laws of physics as the rest of Planet Earth? You wouldn’t know it from some of the responses to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s tweets about the sport. Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice bring Neil into the studio to unpac

Would You Be a Space Tourist?

1 Jun 8th, 2009 38m 14s

Richard Branson has formed Virgin Galactic and is now taking reservations aboard the maiden voyage of SpaceShipOne. Would you spend the estimated $200,000 for a 45-minute trip into space?Neil and Lynne also discuss the mechanics of sex in space

Things You Thought You Knew

Jan 11th, 2021 49m 38s

There are topics you might think you understand, but, do you really? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the differences between mass, weight, and density, why ice floats, and how much you would weigh in space.NOTE: St

Tour of the Solar System

Mar 28th, 2013 43m 35s

Take a tour of the solar system with Mars Exploration Rover scientist Steve Squyres and planetary scientist Heidi Hammel.

The Physics of Football

Mar 28th, 2013 43m 44s

How are the universal laws of matter, energy and motion expressed on the football field?

The Out-of-this-World UFO Show

Mar 28th, 2013 43m 50s

Have you ever seen mysterious lights in the sky, or glimpsed an alien spacecraft? This show provides a probing yet playful discussion about Unidentified Flying Objects.

The International Space Station: A Space Age Cathedral

Mar 28th, 2013 42m 55s

While cathedrals give people a place to contemplate Heaven from our place here on Earth, astronauts on the ISS can view Earth from "the heavens" above. This show highlights the many ways the ISS is like a modern-day cathedral.

An Alien’s Guide to Earth

Mar 28th, 2013 43m 12s

Jon Stewart is the first guest of the new season. He and Neil discuss the Daily Show book, Earth: A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race.

Anniversary of Apollo 11

Jul 27th, 2009 55m 49s

That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Neil Armstrong spoke these words after placing his foot down onto lunar soil, and throughout the course of the Apollo program eleven other astronauts also walked on the Moon. In this sh

Summer Skies

Jul 6th, 2009 49m 50s

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? We have too, and so we’re giving you the long-awaited answer, along with more exploration into the mysterious celestial sphere up above. It’s above our heads every day, conveying its lightest and dark

The Search for Aliens

Jun 15th, 2009 51m 44s

Scientists have been searching for aliens in our solar system and beyond, but have not yet found evidence that life exists beyond Earth. SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, has been scanning the stars for alien radio beacons for

Cosmic Cuisine

1 Mar 28th, 2013 42m 47s

What ingredients provide "The Right Stuff" for an astronaut's dinner? From BBQ to ice cream, we feast on food fit for the stars.

What's So Funny About Space?

Aug 24th, 2009 52m 45s

Our season finale features the incomparable comedian Joan Rivers. In this episode, she provides color commentary for a Red Carpet parade of previous show topics, including space tourism, the anniversary of Apollo 11, and the search for alien li

Oppenheimer: Birth of the Atomic Age with Kai Bird

Sep 5th, 2023 59m 57s

If someone else led the Manhattan Project, would it have gone differently? Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s film, and the creation of the atomic bomb with biographer Kai Bird.For mor

All Pain, No Gain with Charles Liu

May 13th, 2022 42m 56s

How fast does cheese roll down a hill? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly walk us through the physics behind the weirdest sports: cheese rolling, belly flopping, face slapping and more with astrophysicist Charles Liu.

Things You Thought You Knew – Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Mar 15th, 2022 49m 43s

Is anything at the end of the rainbow? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice break down how rainbows work, the history behind zero, and what Zoom calls and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity have in common.NOTE: StarTal

Cosmic Queries – Climate Change at NASA with Chief Scientist Katherine Calvin

Mar 1st, 2022 52m 41s

How does NASA combat climate change? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice answer questions about renewable energy, geoengineering, and how science is helping us battle the climate crisis with NASA Chief Scientist Katherine Calvin. NOTE: S

Cosmic Queries – Alien Worlds and Extremophiles with Kennda Lynch

Feb 22nd, 2022 57m 35s

What will life be like on other planets? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the origins of life on alien planets and extremophiles right here on Earth with astrobiologist Kennda Lynch. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patr

Cosmic Queries – Quantum Queries with Hakeem Oluseyi

1 Feb 8th, 2022 55m 12s

Do we really know the age of the universe? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Paul Mecurio answer astrophysics questions about the big bang, gravitational waves, and the speed of light with astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi. NOT

The Snow Show: Making Snowflakes with Peter Veals and Twila Moon

1 Jan 21st, 2022 1h 7m

How do you make snow? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn some cold, hard facts about snow and ice with atmospheric scientist and snow maker Peter Veals, PhD and glacial scientist Twila Moon, PhD

Social Networks and Ending the Pandemic with Nicholas Christakis

1 1 Jan 18th, 2022 1h 5m

How do diseases and information spread? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice discover the history of pandemics, how social networks impact spread, and the hidden math behind it with sociologist Nicholas Christakis.N

Things You Thought You Knew - A Constellation Prize

1 Nov 2nd, 2021 42m 56s

How did Uranus get its name? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explain all the things you thought you knew about the names of the planets and moons in our solar system, the formation of the moon, and the constellations.NOTE: Star

Cosmic Queries– Exoplanetary Exploration with Dr. Aomawa Shields

1 Aug 31st, 2021 59m 15s

Exoplanets? Low Mass Stars? Goldilocks zones? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Negin Farsad explore the universe of exoplanets, science communication, and acting with astronomer and speaker Dr. Aomawa Shields.NOTE: StarTa

Starry Starry Night with Roberta Olson, Jay Pasachoff, & Heather Berlin

Aug 24th, 2021 52m 32s

Can you hear colors? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore science through art in Van Gogh’s Starry Night with art historian Roberta Olson, astronomer Jay Pasachoff, and neuroscientist Heather Berlin.NOTE: S