PBS

We don't need another Carl Sagan. Because he lives on.

Mars One. The Mars Rover. Bruno Mars. Mars Bars. It's pretty clear we're OBSESSED with the idea of Mars, especially in regard to it being a potential colony for earthlings. But is that really the best option? Is there a better place for us to colonize in our solar system? Well, how about Venus?

Our need for data storage grows everyday... but by how much?

We’ve come a long way in our understanding of dark energy. In previous episodes we’ve looked at how our universe is paradoxically flat and how dark energy is exponentially accelerating the expansion of the universe. Now, let's dive into the true nature of dark energy and how its antigravity effect and its other properties are having such bizarre effects on our universe.

The hottest and coldest temperatures in our universe are rarely witnessed, but in these rare spots, our understanding of physics is challenged. Weird things happen at extreme hot and absolute cold.

Listen, we know you've thought about it, and we're here to give you THE DEFINITIVE ANSWER to one of the greatest science questions of all time. How long would it take to get to the MOON by farting? Join Gabe on PBS Space Time as we walk through some of the surprising and WEIRD science behind farts, rockets, and everything in between as we seek an answer to this propulsion problem.

The lingerling radiation from the ancient universe still surrounds us to this day.

We’ve broken down our preconceived notions about mass and time, now let’s redefine what they really are. Since we know that time is not a universal constant, what is? Matt defines causal order and explains how even though time may look different to multiple observers, it is the one concrete reality that we can all agree on.

Even those that are most productive in their lives are known to take a “breather” from the chores and obligations and just let their mind wander. Taking a break to do simple or "mindless" tasks can have a positive impact on your creativity, productivity and decision making. So if you're going to procrastinate or waste time, here's how to do it properly. And it involves one of our most favorite platforms - YouTube! There are ways you can effectively waste time that can lead to a boost in problem-solving, productivity and creativity. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have published a number of studies on “workplace internet leisure browsing”. We have to say, we are experts at workplace internet leisure browsing! In one of said studies, researchers have said that those who “surf the internet for fun at work” within a reasonable time limit, say, less than 20% of their total time in the office, are 9% more productive than those who stay clear of these activities. In the follow-up studies, researchers argue that workplace internet leisure browsing is “an unobtrusive interruption which enables restoration of mental capacity and fosters feels of autonomy”. A study titled “Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation” from the University of California, found that when participants did an undemanding task, it led to substantial improvement in performance on a problem they’ve encountered before, compared to those doing a demanding task, just resting or having no break at all. The conclusion is that letting the mind to wander by doing simple tasks can boost creative problem-solving. You don’t have to watch <a href="https://rumble.com/v33t8a-what-what-goat.html" target="_blank">goat</a> or <a href="https://rumble.com/v2zo8e-6-month-old-kitten-dancing-with-her-owner.html" target="_blank">kitten videos</a>; you can just go for a walk. It is equally as effective.

The universe is HUGE. But, there is only so much of the universe we can ACTUALLY see, and if we wanted to measure that FINITE space, how would we do it? A gigantic ruler? One really long car ride? Or maybe it's something even more spectacular, something that involves not only the observable universe as it is NOW, but how it was when it was first BORN?

Humans have been talking about space colonization for quite some time, but our neighboring planets are not exactly the most hospitable places. If we are ever going to be successful, we should probably figure out where we could reasonably expect to survive.

From the very large to the very small, the universe is an amazing place. Here's my favorite ways to explore its scale.

As technology has evolved over the past two centuries, so have our expectations about privacy. This new digital world allows us to connect with each other with increasing ease, but it has also left our personal information readily available, and our privacy vulnerable.

In the last episode Matt discussed how the Penrose Diagram enabled you to map how black holes affect Space Time. In this episode you can use that knowledge to stop an all-too-real threat to our planet. Aliens are trying to destroy the Earth by creating a Kugelblitz under our feet. Will you use a Dyson Sphere to stop them or a satellite based deflector array? Choose wisely and save humanity.

By choosing the right path and the right reference frames, any superluminal motion can lead to information or objects returning to their origin before they depart.

Some people try to attack things like evolution by natural selection and man-made climate change by saying “Oh, that’s just a THEORY!” Yes, they are both theories. Stop saying it like it’s a bad thing! It’s time we learn the difference between a fact, a theory, a hypothesis, and a scientific law.

Since the discovery of the Higgs boson, physicists have searched and searched for any hint of new particles. That search has been fruitless. Until, perhaps, now. Today on Space Time Journal Club we’ll look at a paper that reports a compelling hint of a new particle outside the standard model: the sterile neutrino.

Are aliens watching Earth TV?

There are some pretty out-there explanations for the processes at work behind the incredibly successful mathematics of quantum mechanics - things are both waves and particles at the same time, the act of observation defines reality, cats are alive and dead, or even: the universe is constantly splitting into infinite alternate realities.

I smell a science storm a-comin'!!

We’ve all gotten dizzy before… but have you ever gotten WEIRD DIZZY? I teamed up with Vanessa Hill from BrainCrat to answer the question “why do we get dizzy?” and in the process we learned about some very strange and hilarious ways to get extra-special dizzy! Get ready to learn about your vestibular system, the system that lets you know where your body is in space.

Killing all the life on Earth is easy. But what about destroying the planet itself? That is DEFINITELY going to happen!! But HOW? Could it be Nukes? A Giant Asteroid? A Collision with another planet? And what’s more, will anyone be around to actually watch the world reach its ultimate demise? Watch this week’s episode of Space Time to find out what will eliminate Planet Earth!!!

Be grateful, it's good for you!

Why are we talking about dark energy again? Because another team has just announced a new analysis of updated supernova data. They claim that the data are consistent with there being NO dark energy – no accelerating expansion. They suggest that the universe may just be expanding at a constant rate – never speeding up, but also not slowing down.

Anti-Satellite weaponry, giant X-ray lasers and kinetic impact missiles nicknamed the “Rods from God.” Find out about the history of the real star wars that have been waged over the past 50 years.