Episode notes
Explore the science behind what causes the incredible light and color of the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.Uploaded 03-07-13-- Why do we see those stunning lights in the northern- and southernmost portions of the night sky? The Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis occur when high-energy particles are flung from the Sun's corona toward the Earth and mingle with the neutral atoms in our atmosphere -- ultimately emitting extraordinary light and color. Michael Molina explains every step of this dazzling phenomenon. Lesson by Michael Molina, animation by Franco Barroeta.Support Our…
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TED-Ed
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14 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew
The world's English fever - Jay Walker
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-world-s-english-mania-jay-walkerJay Walker explains why two billion people around the world are trying to learn English. He shares photos and spine-tingling audio of Chinese students rehearsing English -- "the world's second language" -- by the thousands.Talk by Jay Walker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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14 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew
Where do genes come from? - Carl Zimmer
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/where-do-genes-come-from-carl-zimmerUploaded 22-09-14When life emerged on Earth about 4 billion years ago, the earliest microbes had a set of basic genes that succeeded in keeping them alive. In the age of humans and other large organisms, there are a lot more genes to go around. Where did all of those new genes come from? Carl Zimmer examines the mutation and multiplication of genes. Lesson by Carl Zimmer, animation by TOGETHER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
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14 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew
How to order, add and multiply matrices - Bill Shillito
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-organize-add-and-multiply-matrices-bill-shillitoWhen you're working on a problem with lots of numbers, as in economics, cryptography or 3D graphics, it helps to organize those numbers into a grid, or matrix. Bill Shillito shows us how to work with matrices, with tips for adding, subtracting and multiplying (but not dividing!).Lesson by Bill Shillito, animation by The Leading Sheep Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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14 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew
An athlete uses physics to shatter world records - Asaf Bar-Yosef
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/an-athlete-uses-physics-to-shatter-world-records-asaf-bar-yosefUploaded 18-02-14When Dick Fosbury couldn't compete against the skilled high jumpers at his college, he tried jumping in a different way -- backwards. Fosbury improved his record immediately and continued to amaze the world with his new technique all the way to Olympic gold. Asaf Bar-Yosef explains the physics behind the success of the now dominant Fosbury Flop.Lesson by Asaf Bar-Yosef, animation by NEIGHBOR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more…
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14 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew
Why do Americans and Canadians celebrate Labor Day? -Kenneth C. Davis
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-americans-and-canadians-celebrate-labor-day-kenneth-c-davisUploaded 30-08-13In the United States and Canada, the first Monday of September is a federal holiday, Labor Day. Originally celebrated in New York City's Union Square in 1882, Labor Day was organized by unions as a rare day of rest for the overworked during the Industrial Revolution. Kenneth C. Davis illustrates the history of Labor Day from Union Square to today. Lesson by Kenneth C. Davis, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn…
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14 Oct 2026 · 7 minNew
Why fish outperform you at breathing - Dan Kwartler
Explore how fish use their gills to breathe, and how these processes make them some of the most efficient breathers on Earth.--Recent studies found that elite runners can take in twice as much oxygen as non-runners. And it’s likely that this superhuman ability played a role in breaking the two-hour marathon barrier in 2019. But when it comes to breathing efficiently, not even the best runners can compete with the average fish. What makes fish some of the best breathers on Earth? Dan Kwartler explores the science of gills.Lesson by Dan Kwartler, directed by Denys Spolitak.Support Our…
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14 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew
Why should you read "A Midsummer Night's Dream"? - Iseult Gillespie
Check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/tededUploaded 03-12-18View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-should-you-read-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-iseult-gillespieBy the light of the moon, a group sneaks into the woods, where they take mind-altering substances, switch it up romantically and brush up against creatures from another dimension. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” sees Shakespeare play with the boundary between illusion and reality - and dramatize the possibility that life is but a dream. Iseult Gillespie shares what makes this play a timeless classic.Lesson by Iseult…
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14 Oct 2026 · 7 minNew
High-altitude wind energy via kites! - Saul Griffith
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/high-altitude-wind-energy-from-kites-saul-griffithIn this brief talk, Saul Griffith unveils the invention his new company Makani Power has been working on: giant kite turbines that create surprising amounts of clean, renewable energy.Talk by Saul Griffith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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14 Oct 2026 · 8 minNew
Working backward to address challenges - Maurice Ashley
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/working-backward-to-solve-problems-maurice-ashleyImagine where you want to be someday. Now, how did you get there? Retrograde analysis is a style of problem solving where you work backwards from the endgame you want. It can help you win at chess -- or solve a problem in real life. At TEDYouth 2012, chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley delves into his favorite strategy.Talk by Maurice Ashley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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14 Oct 2026 · 7 minNew
Why are scientists obsessed with the Black Sea? - Helen Farr and Jon Adams
Discover the unique conditions that make the Black Sea host to dozens of shipwrecks that date back thousands of years. Uploaded 21-10-21--In 2017, researchers off the Bulgarian coast discovered the oldest intact shipwreck ever found. This ancient Greek vessel was not only nearly 2,500 years old, but was just one of 65 shipwrecks found at the bottom of the Black Sea in remarkable condition. So, why does the Black Sea contain so many well-preserved shipwrecks? Helen Farr and Jon Adams dive into the depths of the unique body of water.Lesson by Helen Farr and Jon Adams, directed by Yuriy…
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