StarTalk Radio

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Science, pop culture, and comedy collide on StarTalk Radio! Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and Director of New York's Hayden Planetarium, and his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities, and scientific experts explore astronomy, physics, and everything else there is to know about life in the universe. New episodes premiere Tuesdays. Keep Looking Up!

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1,119 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes1119

Newest first

Mar 28, 2013 · 43 min
The Out-of-this-World UFO Show
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.
Mar 28, 2013 · 42 min
Wit and Wisdom about Wine
When tasting the first sparkling champagne, Benedictine monk Dom Perignon supposedly said, "Come quickly, I am drinking the stars!" It's more likely the quote originates from a late 19th century advertisement, but the sentiment is universally appealing.
Mar 28, 2013 · 42 min
The International Space Station: A Space Age Cathedral
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.
Mar 28, 2013 · 43 min
Holiday Lights
For our holiday show, Neil and his comedian co-hosts discuss the constellations of the winter sky, the star of Bethlehem, and the physics of Santa. Seth MacFarlane and other special guests call in to comment on the science of the season.
Mar 28, 2013 · 44 min
Science is Fierce
Do sci-fi classics like Star Trek provide a glimpse into future trends and styles? Neil chats with stylist James Aguiar about the science fiction and facts of fashion.
Mar 28, 2013 · 43 min
An Alien’s Guide to Earth
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.
Aug 24, 2009 · 52 min
What's So Funny About Space?
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 life (both in space and in Hollywood!). NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/all-access/whats-funny-space/
Aug 17, 2009 · 51 min
What's Exploration Worth?
When the economy takes a downturn, should we still go up into space? NASA missions aren’t cheap—sending astronauts into low Earth orbit or to the Moon, sending robotic spacecraft to explore the planets, and launching telescopes into space can cost millions or even billions of dollars. Lou Friedman, director of the Planetary Society, argues that even when the dollar is dear, the quest to explore our universe is priceless. NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-
Aug 10, 2009 · 51 min
A Universe of Inspiration
Geometry, physics and the other sciences describe the world we live in, and artists often play with these properties in their own imaginative investigations. From the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci to high tech computer graphics, Neil and Lynne paint a picture of how science has inspired art through the ages. NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/all-access/a-universe-of-inspiration/
Aug 3, 2009 · 50 min
Cosmic Quackery
In our quest to understand the universe, how can we be sure our conclusions are correct? Human beings have evolved to find meaningful patterns in nature, but sometimes the patterns we see are just figments of our imagination—or perhaps the result of wishful thinking. Join Neil and guest co-host Leighann Lord as they investigate the weird and wacky world of pseudoscience. NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/all-access
Jul 27, 2009 · 55 min
Anniversary of Apollo 11
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 show, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and many others share their memories of Apollo, and say what they think should be NASA’s next step in space. NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.ne
Jul 20, 2009 · 49 min
Exciting Times for Science
Brilliant scientific discoveries and cutting edge technology have transformed our world, yet many people are turned off by science. Where has the excitement for science gone, and how can we get it back? Stephen Colbert developed an interest in science at a young age, and now he shares that fascination by inviting scientists to appear on his show The Colbert Report. NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/all-access/excit
Jul 13, 2009 · 50 min
Travels in Time
Is time travel possible? Or has it already happened? Get ready to spend some time pondering time, because in this episode of StarTalk, host Neil deGrasse Tyson is joined by co-host J. Richard Gott, author of Time Travel in Einstein's Universe and an expert in exotic astrophysics. Join us as we explore time travel, black holes, and worm holes, and analyze some Hollywood time travel films in terms of their scientific accuracy. Rich enlightens us on the fact that time travel is mathematically possi
Jul 6, 2009 · 49 min
Summer Skies
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 darkest moments, giving hints about the universe around us, and allowing us to learn by looking up…but are we really looking? In this episode of StarTalk, host Neil deGrasse Tyson is joined by co-host and comedian Lynne Koplitz to ponder the many questions, st
Jun 29, 2009 · 51 min
Space Spin-Offs
Space is now big business. Technology originally developed for the space program sometimes ends up in products for use on Earth, often in surprising ways. The 40,000 certified “Space Products” range from mattresses to medical devices, and have turned space into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Inspired by our excursions into the Final Frontier, entrepreneurs and inventors are turning stardust into gold.
Jun 22, 2009 · 51 min
The Science of Star Trek
The Star Trek TV and movie series imagine a bright future for humans in space, one in which we explore alien worlds with the aid of advanced technology. Because the writers tried to include as much realistic science as possible within the fictional framework, the stories have been an inspiration for students, scientists, inventors; and anyone interested in pondering our destiny on Earth and beyond. In this show, Brandon Fibbs reviews the latest Star Trek movie now in theaters, and Lawrence Kraus
Jun 15, 2009 · 51 min
The Search for Aliens
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 50 years. Radio and TV broadcasts have been leaking from Earth’s atmosphere for over a century, and these traveling time capsules could eventually reach a broader audience than ever imagined. Neil and Lynne review the methods used to locate aliens, and di
Jun 8, 2009 · 38 min
Would You Be a Space Tourist?
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. NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/all-access/would-you-be-a-space-tourist/?_sf_s=would+you+be+a+space+tourist
Jun 1, 2009 · 56 min
Telescopes that Rocked Our World
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 astronomers discover new and interesting aspects of the universe, from Earth-like planets to supernova, from black holes to the Big Bang.

StarTalk Radio

The Out-of-this-World UFO Show

Wit and Wisdom about Wine

The International Space Station: A Space Age Cathedral

Holiday Lights

Science is Fierce

An Alien’s Guide to Earth

What's So Funny About Space?

What's Exploration Worth?

A Universe of Inspiration

Cosmic Quackery

Anniversary of Apollo 11

Exciting Times for Science

Travels in Time

Summer Skies

Space Spin-Offs

The Science of Star Trek

The Search for Aliens

Would You Be a Space Tourist?

Telescopes that Rocked Our World