A podcast about how we understand the world, scientifically and as humans. Each conversation brings together visionaries from the worlds of arts, sciences, humanities, and technology discussing the nature of reality and how we collaborate to create the future. Hosted by Dr Brian Keating, Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. For show notes go to:  https://briankeating.com/podcast

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Today on Into the Impossible, we’re exploring the fascinating realm of time with none other than the timekeeper himself – Chad Orzel. 

Chad is a professor of physics and science communicator renowned for his popular science books, How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, Breakfast with Einstein, and How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com. 

In his most recent book, A Brief History of Timekeeping, Chad revisits the delicate negotiations involved in Gregorian calendar reform, the intricate and entirely unique system employed by the Maya, and how the problem of synchronizing clocks at different locations ultimately required us to abandon the idea of time as an absolute and universal quantity. 

From sundials to sandglasses and mechanical clocks, this sharp and engaging story isn't just about the science of timekeeping—it's a riveting tale encompassing politics, philosophy, and the very essence of space and time.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:


00:00:00 Intro

00:01:07 Judging a book by its cover

00:05:07 Galileo’s telescope helmet

00:10:23 The connection between time and astronomy

00:13:11 Why is longitude so hard to measure?

00:15:32 The relativity of simultaneity

00:22:12 The future of education after COVID

00:25:55 The standard definition of time

00:31:19 Attosecond clocks

00:36:33 Why time is so much more perplexing than space

00:40:23 How to teach students new things

00:43:14 On education  

00:49:05 Outro


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Additional resources:

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➡️ Learn more about Chad Orzel:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/orzelc/ 
📚 Website: https://chadorzel.com/

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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 
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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Does Time Really Exist and How Can We Measure It w/ Chad Orzel

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On April 8th, 2024, the USA will be treated to a rare celestial phenomenon—a total solar eclipse. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow that temporarily darkens parts of the Earth. Astronomers and enthusiasts eagerly await the chance to witness this remarkable event and delve deeper into the mysteries of our solar system. 

Today, I want to do a deep dive into solar eclipses so that you can better appreciate them, whether you’ll be able to see the one on Monday or not. Eclipses are awe-inspiring phenomena that bridge the gap between wonder and discovery and have fascinated humanity for millennia. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in! 

Key Takeaways:


00:00:00 Intro 

00:01:37 Ancient observations 

00:03:02 Cultural and religious significance 

00:04:27 Scientific contributions 

00:05:47 Practical applications 

00:09:09 Solar eclipse of 2024

00:10:40 Outro


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Additional resources:

😎 Buy solar eclipse glasses here: https://a.co/d/4LuQa5u

☀️ Check out how to make a solar eclipse viewer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMPBWLSYKaw

📝 Get one month of Snipd Premium for free with this link: https://get.snipd.com/Cx7S/brianSnipd Snipd lets you take Smart Notes 🧠 with AI 💡 — it’s my favorite podcast player 😀 !

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 
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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Science and Wonder of Solar Eclipses: 4/8/24

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Today on Into the Impossible, we're joined by the renowned cosmic journalist Rebecca Boyle. 

As a lifelong lunar enthusiast, Rebecca has extensively studied how the Moon has shaped human history and life on Earth. Rebecca's new book, aptly titled ‘Our Moon,’ explores the mysteries of the Moon, from its crucial role in stabilizing Earth's orbit and shaping our climate to its influence on the evolution of life itself. Furthermore, she sheds light on how ancient civilizations used the Moon's phases to measure time, laying the foundations for scientific observations that continue to this day. 

Today, she has kindly joined us to share her insights and discoveries. So, without further ado, let's dive right into this pure lunacy!

Rebecca Boyle is a journalist covering the cosmos, focusing on astronomy, space exploration, and history. She is a contributing editor at Scientific American, a contributing writer for Quanta Magazine and The Atlantic, and a frequent contributor at the New York Times, Popular Science, Smithsonian Air & Space, and many other publications. She has received numerous writing awards throughout her career, and her work has been anthologized multiple times in The Best American Science & Nature Writing. Boyle is a former newspaper reporter, a former Space Camp attendee, and a lifelong Moon enthusiast.

Key Takeaways:


00:00:00 Intro

00:01:24 Judging a book by its cover

00:05:08 Rebecca’s personal connection to the Moon

00:11:16 The Moon in occultism and modern science

00:13:36 Women’s menstrual cycles and the Moon

00:16:03 The Moon’s impact on climate change on Earth

00:18:50 How Earth beat the odds

00:22:58 Early life formation and the impact of the Moon

00:26:48 Going back to the Moon and colonizing space

00:35:53 Audience questions

00:38:38 Outro


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Additional resources:

📝 Get one month of Snipd Premium for free with this link: https://get.snipd.com/Cx7S/brianSnipd Snipd lets you take Smart Notes 🧠 with AI 💡 — it’s my favorite podcast player 😀 !

➡️ Learn more about Rebecca Boyle:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/rboyle31 
📚 Our Moon: https://t.co/dVkJ6HUZH8

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 
🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 
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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Our Moon Shaped the Course of Human History and Humankind w/ Rebecca Boyle

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When the JWST captured the first images of the earliest galaxies in our universe, scientists were shocked. 

The galaxies appeared to be way too bright, way too big, and way too mature to have formed so soon after the Big Bang. This discovery has, rightfully so, sparked a massive debate among astrophysicists. Some even started to question the standard model of cosmology. 

However, using new simulations, some astrophysicists decided to investigate this controversy. Among these extraordinarily talented and bright minds is today’s guest, Chris Hayward, founding member of the FIRE project. 

Tune in to discover the truth about the mysterious brightness at cosmic dawn!

Key Takeaways:


00:00:00 Intro

00:01:02 What is a FIRE simulation?

00:03:11 The mysterious brightness at cosmic dawn

00:12:36 How FIRE provides information on the maturity of a galaxy

00:16:18 Galaxy dynamics and black holes

00:18:50 How FIRE simulations can help resolve tensions in cosmology

00:27:32 “I was made for science.” 

00:34:09 The experimental minimum 

00:39:54 What if the universe is actually 26 billion years old? 

00:43:35 What's next for this type of research?

00:47:25 Outro


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Additional resources:

📝 Get one month of Snipd Premium for free with this link: https://get.snipd.com/Cx7S/brianSnipd Snipd lets you take Smart Notes 🧠 with AI 💡 — it’s my favorite podcast player 😀 !

➡️ Read more about the Mysterious Brightness at Cosmic Dawn https://www.simonsfoundation.org/2023/10/05/bursts-of-star-formation-explain-mysterious-brightness-at-cosmic-dawn/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:
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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 
🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Bang Productions Inc.

Into the Impossible With Brian Keating by Big Bang Productions Inc.

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