Summary
In this episode of Startalk, host Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice celebrate reaching one million subscribers on YouTube and thank their Patreon members for their support. The hosts take questions from the audience, including what resource Mars could trade with Earth if a human colony were established on the planet. Tyson explains that the people on Mars could have intellectual capital and expertise to trade, rather than just natural resources. They also discuss the shape of galaxies and why most galaxies in the universe are spirals.
The conversation also touches on the James Webb Space Telescope, which is designed to observe redshifted light from galaxies born at the beginning of the universe, making it a visual time machine to look at the near beginnings of the universe. They also discuss the possibility of light reaching around the universe and reaching us again, and the concept of a mirror setup in space to see the history of Earth. The conversation also touches on the expansion of the universe, dark energy, and the possibility of the big rip, where the universe expands so severely that it rips apart even atoms and particles.
The hosts also discuss various topics related to astrophysics and the search for extraterrestrial life, including the possibility of higher dimensions and wormholes, the limitations of telescopes, and the search for life on other planets. They mention upcoming episodes of their podcast, including an interview with an AI robot and a discussion on the role of AI in understanding the coronavirus. The hosts encourage listeners to subscribe to their show and thank their Patreon members for their support. Overall, the episode is a lively and informative discussion of various scientific topics.
