AUA: The Early Universe, Quantum Interpretations, and Asteroids

More from Why This Universe?

1. 

   S2 · E2 · 29 Sep 2025 · 32 min

   94 - Inside the Hubble Tension (Ft. Adam Riess)

   Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisis means from Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

2. 

   S2 · E1 · 15 Sep 2025 · 40 min

   93 - The Moment Dark Energy Appeared (Ft. Adam Riess)

   Adam Riess recounts the moments of his Nobel prize-winning discovery that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, powered by a mysterious energy source called dark energy. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

3. 

   E95 · 2 May 2025 · 55 min

   AUA: Changing Dark Energy, Twin Paradox, and What's Next for CERN

   We answer your questions. To listen to our backlog of ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to submit your questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

4. 

   E93 · 13 Jan 2025 · 46 min

   92 - What Cosmology Has in Store for 2025 (Ft. Dan Scolnic)

   Learn what exciting cosmology results and potential discoveries await us in 2025!For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

5. 

   E92 · 23 Dec 2024 · 31 min

   91 - What Neutrinos Reveal About the Milky Way

   A discovery last year reveals our galaxy in a whole new light - except it's not light, it's neutrinos! Learn what this discovery can teach us about the Milky Way and beyond.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

6. 

   E90 · 4 Nov 2024 · 42 min

   90 - Quintessence: Is Dark Energy Changing? (Ft. Sean Carroll)

   Is it possible that dark energy is not a constant, but rather is changing over time? Sean Carroll talks to us about how our understanding of dark energy evolved in recent history, and what is still left unknown.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

7. 

   S2 · E9 · 24 Aug 2026 · 37 min

   100 - What is Light? A Journey from Ancient Philosophy to Quantum Physics

   Modern physics tells us a lot about light; that it's both a wave and a particle, and that it sets the speed limit of the universe, for example. But how did we come to understand light in this way? In Dan's first solo episode, he takes us through theories of light through the ages, starting from the earliest accounts of ancient ideas and bringing us all the way to modern times. Let us know what you think about this new format! Support the show

8. 

   S2 · E8 · 3 Aug 2026 · 36 min

   99 - The 7 Most Exciting Developments in Physics Today + a WTU Update

   It's been a while! To make up for lost time, today's episode is a rundown of all the physics news you should know. Hear what is keeping physicists at the edge of their seat, and what physics news you should keep your eyes out for in the coming years. Also, this episode comes with an update from us at WTU: This will be Shalma's last episode as co-host and editor (though she'll continue to help out with production behind the scenes). Support the show

9. 

   S2 · E7 · 19 Jan 2026 · 41 min

   98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)

   An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum mechanics, and how physicists like him are testing it. For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

10. 

    S2 · E6 · 22 Dec 2025 · 30 min

    97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics

    Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrödinger equation: how it works, what it says about nature, and why it revolutionized physics. For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

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