Neil Degrasse Tyson

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of the first telescope. On this week's show, we reflect on how telescopes have changed our perception of our place in the universe, how small we are in size, space and time. Our guests include Dava Sobel, author of The Planets, Vatican Astronomer Father Chris Corbally, and astronaut Paul Richards. We also discuss how they help astronomers discover new and interesting aspects of the universe, from...

Meet your new instructor: world-renowned astrophysicist, Emmy-nominated host, author, and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson. Neil welcomes you and discusses the importance of scientific thinking and communication.

If you are human, then you are susceptible to cognitive bias. Neil defines some of the most common cognitive biases and reveals how our need to feel special may be getting in the way of our search for objective truths.

Turn now to some inexplicable aspects of physics and the physical world. Among the many eye-opening topics viewers will learn about in this episode are the discovery of more and more elements on the periodic table; muon neutrinos, tao particles, and the three regimes of matter; the secrets of string theory; and even the hypothetical experience of traveling through a black hole.

Do viewers know that electrons have never actually been observed by scientists to this day? Or that quarks cannot be studied in isolation? Or being in stronger gravity or traveling rapidly slows the ticking of time relative to the rest of the universe? Delve into these and other mind-warping facts about the fundamentals of matter in a episode that covers everything from particle physics to quantum tunneling.

Stoking curiosity is an essential component of effective communication. Neil demonstrates how to make the strategic delivery of information a powerful tool in your communication arsenal.

Forty years ago, on the dusty plains known as the Sea of Tranquility, Neil Armstrong stepped off a lunar module and into the pages of history. That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Neil Armstrong spoke these words after placing his foot down onto lunar soil, and throughout the course of the Apollo program, eleven other astronauts also walked on the Moon. In this show, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and many others share their memories...

Special guest Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's 'Colbert Report' talks about the joys of being a science geek. Brilliant scientific discoveries and cutting edge technology have transformed our world, yet many people are turned off by science. Where has the excitement for science gone, and how can we get it back? Stephen Colbert developed an interest in science at a young age, and now he shares that fascination by inviting scientists to appear on...

Star Trek imagines a future for humans in space where we explore alien worlds using advanced technology. As writers tried to include as much realistic science as possible, the stories have been an inspiration for students, scientists, inventors. The Star Trek TV and movie series imagine a bright future for humans in space, one in which we explore alien worlds with the aid of advanced technology. Because the writers tried to include as much realistic...

What's so funny about space and science? Our season finale features the incomparable comedian Joan Rivers. In this episode, she provides color commentary for a Red Carpet parade of previous show topics, including space tourism, the anniversary of Apollo 11, and the search for alien life (both in space and in Hollywood). Guests: Joan Rivers, comedian.