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Pseudoscience can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the real thing. Today we discuss how philosophers of science have thought about this problem.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

Why This Universe?

by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman · English · Tech & Science

The biggest ideas in physics, broken down. Join theoretical physicist Dan Hooper and co-host Shalma Wegsman as they answer your questions about dark matter, black holes, quantum mechanics, and more. Part of The University of Chicago Podcast Network.

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  1. E87 · 17 Jun 2024 · 37 min

    85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future

    Today's episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change in the future.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

  2. E86 · 3 Jun 2024 · 45 min

    84 - The Search For New Worlds (ft. Josh Winn)

    Hear how the search for exoplanets has developed, and what surprises it has brought so far.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

  3. E83 · 13 May 2024 · 32 min

    83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg)

    Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Support the show

  4. E81 · 15 Apr 2024 · 43 min

    81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy

    The first episode in a new mini-series on philosophical problems in cosmology - Today we start with the origins of Western science and learn what the ancient Greeks thought about the cosmos.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

  5. E80 · 1 Apr 2024 · 17 min

    80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology

    Hear how a recent discovery of the motions of galaxies is changing how cosmologists are thinking about our universe.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport the show

  6. E79 · 18 Mar 2024 · 41 min

    79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)

    Last year, an experiment called NanoGRAV made a surprising discovery of gravitational waves using pulsars around the universe. Special guest Chiara Mingarelli explains.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universeSupport 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

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