Stars Ask Neil Their Deep Questions

StarTalk・2 minutes read

Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses various aspects of the universe, evolution, human behavior, rainbows, airplane lift, and debunking Superman movie scenes with celebrities. He clarifies scientific concepts while sharing his unconventional wishes and experiences at events.

Insights

  • Neil Tyson discusses human behavior and evolution, comparing it to viruses and highlighting destructive tendencies.
  • Neil deGrasse Tyson debunks myths about rainbows, explaining their formation by sunlight refracting through raindrops and dispelling misconceptions about their shape and reach.

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Recent questions

  • How did humans evolve over time?

    Humans evolved from nomadic to settled beings.

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Summary

00:00

"Neil Tyson: Universe, Evolution, Consciousness, and More"

  • Neil Tyson collects questions from celebrities at events to answer about the universe.
  • He explains how humans evolved from nomadic beings to settled ones.
  • Tyson discusses the evolutionary features and instincts that drive human behavior.
  • He compares human behavior to viruses, highlighting the destructive nature of humans.
  • Tyson explains the process of cremation and burial, detailing how energy is released into the universe.
  • He delves into the concept of consciousness and the afterlife, debunking myths about the soul.
  • Tyson shares his unconventional wish to have his ashes spread in pepper shakers around Manhattan.
  • He mentions the launch of a new YouTube channel, Star Talk Plus, for innovative content.
  • Tyson recalls being in Kelly Clarkson's music video and answering her question about rainbows in the universe.
  • The discussion with Clarkson leads to a humorous exchange about unicorns and rainbows.

15:13

"Rainbows, Planets, and Airplane Lift Explained"

  • Unicorns do not poop out ice cream, but rather fart out rainbows due to sunlight refracting through raindrops.
  • Rainbows are formed by sunlight going through raindrops, refracting and dispersing into different colors due to varying speeds of light.
  • Planets with liquid methane or other transparent liquids could potentially produce rainbows similar to Earth's.
  • Rainbows are complete circles, but only the primary rainbow is typically visible to the naked eye.
  • Rainbows are always the same size, with the sun behind the observer creating the rainbow.
  • Rainbows are always face-on to the observer, making it impossible to reach the end of a rainbow.
  • Lift on airplane wings is primarily caused by the angle of the wing into the wind, not necessarily the shape of the wing.
  • The Bernoulli effect, where air splits and travels faster over a curved wing, also contributes to lift.
  • Larger wings and extended flaps on planes during takeoff and landing maximize lift, while supersonic planes retract wings for speed.
  • The angle of the tail on larger jets helps clear the runway during takeoff, and the nose angle aids pilot visibility.

30:06

Neil deGrasse Tyson Debunks Superman's Time Reversal

  • Neil deGrasse Tyson met Jerry Cooney, known for his large hands, at a gathering with JB Smoove.
  • Neil had a cameo on Kevin Hart's show and discussed a scene from the original Superman movie with JB Smoove, questioning the possibility of reversing time by changing Earth's rotation.
  • Neil explained the scene where Superman reverses time by flying around Earth's rotation, highlighting the impracticality and disastrous consequences of such an action.
  • Neil clarified misconceptions about Earth's rotation and weight distribution due to centrifugal force, debunking the idea that stopping Earth's rotation would make people float.
  • Neil acknowledged the creativity of the Superman movie scene but emphasized its scientific inaccuracy and impossibility in reality.
  • Neil shared a comic book story where Superman visits the Hayden Planetarium, engaging in a conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson and witnessing the destruction of Krypton's light reaching Earth.
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