Episode
#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
2:40:26
Published: Sun Nov 08 2020
Description
Alex Filippenko is an astrophysicist and professor of astronomy at Berkeley. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Neuro: https://www.getneuro.com and use code LEX to get 15% off - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/lex to get 15% off annual sub - Cash App: https://cash.app/ and use code LexPodcast to get $10 EPISODE LINKS: Alex's Website: https://astro.berkeley.edu/people/alex-filippenko/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:36) - Universe expansion (08:00) - Dark energy (15:28) - Scientific revolutions (27:18) - Asteroid hitting Earth (30:50) - Giant solar flares and the power grid (37:50) - Elon Musk and space exploration (42:41) - Exoplanets (50:03) - Traveling close to the speed of light (52:13) - Traveling faster than the speed of light (1:00:39) - Intelligent life in the universe (1:04:14) - Fermi Paradox (1:13:52) - Finding alien life would be bad news (1:18:49) - UFO sightings (1:31:58) - Universe expansion speed (1:36:42) - The universe is infinite (1:40:58) - What happened before the Big Bang? (1:45:14) - Roger Penrose (1:48:48) - Nobel Prize for the accelerating universe (2:10:23) - Supernova (2:21:47) - The greatest story ever told (2:25:44) - Richard Feynman (2:32:37) - Meaning of life
Chapters
This transcript contains an advertisement for Cash App and Neuro Gum which are promoted by Lex Fridman in his podcast.
00:00 - 06:46 (06:46)
Summary
This transcript contains an advertisement for Cash App and Neuro Gum which are promoted by Lex Fridman in his podcast. Cash App is a money transfer app with a donation feature whereas Neuro Gum is a caffeine and vitamin-packed gum designed to boost mental focus.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explores the two categories of dark energy and theories surrounding it, including the zero point energy and a new energy field, as well as the nature of dark matter and its gravitational attraction on galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
06:46 - 17:53 (11:07)
Summary
This episode explores the two categories of dark energy and theories surrounding it, including the zero point energy and a new energy field, as well as the nature of dark matter and its gravitational attraction on galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The danger of asteroids lies in their trajectory and outgassing, which can cause changes in their paths, and early detection and action are key in preventing a potential catastrophic collision with Earth.
17:53 - 29:28 (11:34)
Summary
The danger of asteroids lies in their trajectory and outgassing, which can cause changes in their paths, and early detection and action are key in preventing a potential catastrophic collision with Earth.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The risk of a pandemic, bioengineering, and natural events like a super volcano are some of the greatest risks which can threaten humanity.
29:28 - 37:14 (07:45)
Summary
The risk of a pandemic, bioengineering, and natural events like a super volcano are some of the greatest risks which can threaten humanity. Gamma ray bursts that come from a particular type of exploding star could destroy life on Earth, but paradoxically, they may also help save humanity someday.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast explores the philosophical and practical implications of space exploration, including the challenges, investment required and the potential for becoming a multi-planetary species.
37:14 - 41:47 (04:33)
Summary
The podcast explores the philosophical and practical implications of space exploration, including the challenges, investment required and the potential for becoming a multi-planetary species. The hosts discuss the importance of visionary leaders like Elon Musk to inspire and promote space exploration efforts.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The transit method is used by astronomers to discover exoplanets, which involves observing a star for small dips in brightness that could indicate the presence of a planet passing in front of it, and the success rate is around 1% of stars observed in a particular field.
41:47 - 46:28 (04:40)
Summary
The transit method is used by astronomers to discover exoplanets, which involves observing a star for small dips in brightness that could indicate the presence of a planet passing in front of it, and the success rate is around 1% of stars observed in a particular field.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The possibility of exploring outer space and other habitable planets, including the challenges in technology and human existence is discussed by a scientist.
46:28 - 53:35 (07:06)
Summary
The possibility of exploring outer space and other habitable planets, including the challenges in technology and human existence is discussed by a scientist.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
There are theoretical ways to traverse through a rotating or charged black hole by avoiding the singularity, but a non-rotating black hole is a no-go because you would get squished by its point-like singularity.
53:35 - 59:03 (05:27)
Summary
There are theoretical ways to traverse through a rotating or charged black hole by avoiding the singularity, but a non-rotating black hole is a no-go because you would get squished by its point-like singularity.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This transcript presents a discussion on the exponential growth of technology and the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth in the observable universe.
59:03 - 1:07:37 (08:34)
Summary
This transcript presents a discussion on the exponential growth of technology and the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth in the observable universe. It highlights the potential of advanced civilizations to achieve interstellar travel and how it could lead to the colonization of the entire galaxy within a relatively short time frame.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A potential explanation for the Fermi paradox is that truly intelligent creatures may have decided not to colonize the entire galaxy due to running out of room, and it's possible that the reason our cognitive and conscious processes remain a mystery is because the degrees of freedom for possible explanations are much greater in that realm than in the physics of the brain.
1:07:37 - 1:12:42 (05:05)
Summary
A potential explanation for the Fermi paradox is that truly intelligent creatures may have decided not to colonize the entire galaxy due to running out of room, and it's possible that the reason our cognitive and conscious processes remain a mystery is because the degrees of freedom for possible explanations are much greater in that realm than in the physics of the brain.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
There are many things found at or near our level of cellular complexity, indicating that the "great filter" is ahead of us; however, the transition from eukaryotic cells to multicellular organisms on Earth doesn't seem to be a great filter.
1:12:42 - 1:19:48 (07:05)
Summary
There are many things found at or near our level of cellular complexity, indicating that the "great filter" is ahead of us; however, the transition from eukaryotic cells to multicellular organisms on Earth doesn't seem to be a great filter.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conspiracy theory around kryptonite exposure suggests that the US government will hide any hard evidence from scientists to protect it.
1:19:49 - 1:28:21 (08:31)
Summary
The conspiracy theory around kryptonite exposure suggests that the US government will hide any hard evidence from scientists to protect it. The existence of some hidden evidence is attributed to reasons such as military and surveillance purposes that the US government doesn't want to disclose to the public.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the speaker acknowledges the possibility of people witnessing UFOs, but stresses the importance of acknowledging the existence of people who exaggerate or lie about their experiences.
1:28:21 - 1:31:52 (03:31)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker acknowledges the possibility of people witnessing UFOs, but stresses the importance of acknowledging the existence of people who exaggerate or lie about their experiences. They share their own encounters with astronomical sightings and highlight the importance of objective analysis.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The expanding universe can make it appear like light is traveling faster than the speed of light, but at any given point locally, light is not exceeding that limit.
1:31:52 - 1:37:25 (05:33)
Summary
The expanding universe can make it appear like light is traveling faster than the speed of light, but at any given point locally, light is not exceeding that limit. However, distant objects can appear to move away from each other faster than the speed of light in an accelerating universe.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In an exponentially expanding universe, measuring its size would be impossible as it is always bigger than the distance light can travel.
1:37:25 - 1:41:10 (03:44)
Summary
In an exponentially expanding universe, measuring its size would be impossible as it is always bigger than the distance light can travel. The slices of time also become tilted when observed relatively to the universe.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of dark energy is still an unsolved puzzle for scientists around the world despite various theories.
1:41:10 - 1:52:17 (11:07)
Summary
The concept of dark energy is still an unsolved puzzle for scientists around the world despite various theories. The possibility of a multiverse outside our universe has been predicted as a plausible theory for the existence of dark energy.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to three scientists for their work on the expansion of the universe highlights the importance of awards in science and how it can inspire and focus people on accomplishing great things as well as the significance of team effort in experimental fields.
1:52:17 - 1:57:34 (05:16)
Summary
The Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to three scientists for their work on the expansion of the universe highlights the importance of awards in science and how it can inspire and focus people on accomplishing great things as well as the significance of team effort in experimental fields.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Alex Wolszczak, an astronomer at Penn State, discovered a planet orbiting a pulsar in 1992, three years before the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995.
1:57:34 - 2:02:57 (05:22)
Summary
Alex Wolszczak, an astronomer at Penn State, discovered a planet orbiting a pulsar in 1992, three years before the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995. This raises questions about whether he should have been awarded the Nobel Prize, and the need to rethink awarding scientific discoveries in general.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The unfairness and tension of prizes like the Oscars is what makes them beautiful, as they recognize the collaborative effort behind a great story.
2:02:57 - 2:10:18 (07:21)
Summary
The unfairness and tension of prizes like the Oscars is what makes them beautiful, as they recognize the collaborative effort behind a great story. Several good authors, including Dennis Overby of the New York Times, emphasized that these awards celebrate teams of people.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
White dwarfs can explode if paired with a normal star and exceeding roughly one and a half times the mass of our sun, and measuring the apparent brightness of supernovae can aid in judging the distance of the galaxy in which they’re located and ejection of synthesized heavy elements benefits the creation of new stars, planets, and ultimately life.
2:10:18 - 2:18:17 (07:58)
Summary
White dwarfs can explode if paired with a normal star and exceeding roughly one and a half times the mass of our sun, and measuring the apparent brightness of supernovae can aid in judging the distance of the galaxy in which they’re located and ejection of synthesized heavy elements benefits the creation of new stars, planets, and ultimately life.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Our solar system formed from chemically enriched clouds, eventually leading to the evolution of life on Earth.
2:18:17 - 2:30:31 (12:13)
Summary
Our solar system formed from chemically enriched clouds, eventually leading to the evolution of life on Earth. Elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron in our bodies originated from nuclear reactions in stars and were dispersed into the cosmos through explosions.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The evidence suggests that we are the epitome of life on Earth for our capability to explore the universe, build and use tools, and understand our origins, which is exclusive to living beings rather than inanimate objects.
2:30:31 - 2:37:11 (06:40)
Summary
The evidence suggests that we are the epitome of life on Earth for our capability to explore the universe, build and use tools, and understand our origins, which is exclusive to living beings rather than inanimate objects. Setting goals for ourselves is something that only living beings with abstract thought processes can do, unlike rocks, stars, black holes, and other inanimate objects which lack this capability.
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Alex Filippenko talks about how altering the values of the constants of nature can change the universe and its properties, and how we're lucky to have the universe the way we do.
2:37:11 - 2:40:05 (02:54)
Summary
Alex Filippenko talks about how altering the values of the constants of nature can change the universe and its properties, and how we're lucky to have the universe the way we do.