Neil deGrasse Tyson
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The Most Energetic Events in the Universe with Tim Paglione
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February 18, 2025
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49:15Now PlayingWhat can gamma rays tell us about supernovae and galaxy formation? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice sit down with astrophysicist Tim Paglione to explore high-energy cosmic phenomena, gamma rays, and the extreme events that create them.
We start by traveling up the electromagnetic spectrum to understand how gamma rays— the most energetic form of light— are produced in the universe. What do astrophysicists mean by “shock,” and how do cosmic rays get “shocked up” as they move through space? We break down the physics behind particle acceleration, from the Large Hadron Collider to interstellar clouds getting slammed by high-energy particles.
Then, we dive into the mysterious world of muons—particles that shouldn’t make it to Earth’s surface but do, thanks to time dilation. How do these cosmic messengers give us insight into the most explosive events in the universe? We discuss the immense energy of supernovae, hypernovae, and how they compare to the total energy output of our Sun.
Next, we zoom out to galaxy clusters and the legacy of Enrico Fermi. How does the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope help us detect elusive sources like pulsars and gamma-ray bursts? What makes pulsars spin like high-speed blenders, and why do their powerful magnetic fields act like cosmic particle accelerators?
We also tackle listener questions: Can gamma rays trigger star formation? How does cosmic chemistry work in molecular clouds? And could the explosive deaths of stars be the heartbeat of galaxies themselves? Plus, we discuss JWST’s discoveries of ancient supernovae and what they reveal about the early universe.
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