Episode
#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
2:45:47
Published: Mon Jul 19 2021
Description
Konstantin Batygin is a planetary astrophysicist at Caltech. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Squarespace: https://lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to get 10% off - Literati: https://literati.com/lex - Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off - National Instruments (NI): https://www.ni.com/perspectives EPISODE LINKS: Konstantin's Twitter https://twitter.com/kbatygin Konstantin's Website https://www.konstantinbatygin.com/ 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/lexfridman - 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 (07:17) - Overview of our Solar System (22:14) - What is the Oort Cloud? (27:10) - Life in the interstellar medium (28:42) - Are there aliens out there? (31:22) - How unique is Earth? (34:02) - Did Jupiter destroy early planets? (40:16) - How hard is it to simulate the Universe? (44:49) - Quantum mechanics in evolution of objects in the Solar system (49:15) - Simulating the first formations around the Sun (55:02) - Will it be possible to simulate the full history of the Solar System? (57:23) - How far should we go with the simulation? (59:43) - Increasing immersion in video games (1:06:09) - What is Planet Nine? (1:12:37) - The origin of life (1:15:02) - Evidence of Planet Nine (1:17:32) - Discovery of Neptune (1:18:42) - When will we find Planet Nine? (1:21:21) - Planet Nine throws rocks into the Kuiper Belt (1:25:15) - Could Planet Nine be a primordial black hole? (1:35:20) - Commercial space revolution boosts science and the human condition (1:42:46) - Solving sex in space (1:43:24) - Would humans evolve if we couldn't see the stars? (1:49:08) - Military funding and science (1:53:11) - Is Oumuamua space junk from a distant alien civilization? (2:06:33) - Wild ideas create the future (2:14:22) - The perfect place to die (2:16:03) - Greatest song of all time (2:22:34) - Music enables science for Konstantin (2:24:51) - Music practice tips for busy people (2:28:41) - Memories of 1990s Russia (2:35:14) - Advice for young people (2:41:10) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Planetary astrophysicist Constantine Batygin discusses the hunt for Planet Nine in the outer regions of our solar system and the trillions of objects that orbit our sun in the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.
00:00 - 01:26 (01:26)
Summary
Planetary astrophysicist Constantine Batygin discusses the hunt for Planet Nine in the outer regions of our solar system and the trillions of objects that orbit our sun in the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The initial stage of a deep work session helps in problem-solving and identifying errors in the code, which can be costly in the real world.
01:26 - 06:54 (05:27)
Summary
The initial stage of a deep work session helps in problem-solving and identifying errors in the code, which can be costly in the real world. Some people overlook the advantages that technology has brought to our lives, while others promote it as a solution to many problems.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Scientists have discovered a pattern of clustering among long period Kuiper belt objects, suggesting a gravitational pull from a distant Planet Nine, which has yet to be observed directly.
06:54 - 16:56 (10:01)
Summary
Scientists have discovered a pattern of clustering among long period Kuiper belt objects, suggesting a gravitational pull from a distant Planet Nine, which has yet to be observed directly.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Co-hosts discuss the strategy of determining the orbit of celestial objects by observing them at different times and determining their position in the night sky, as explained by Mike Brown.
16:56 - 22:23 (05:26)
Summary
Co-hosts discuss the strategy of determining the orbit of celestial objects by observing them at different times and determining their position in the night sky, as explained by Mike Brown.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Long period comets originating from the Oort cloud are influenced by the gravity of the galaxy and their orbits slowly change over time, eventually elongating to the point where ice starts to sublimate, resulting in their discovery as comets.
22:22 - 27:24 (05:01)
Summary
Long period comets originating from the Oort cloud are influenced by the gravity of the galaxy and their orbits slowly change over time, eventually elongating to the point where ice starts to sublimate, resulting in their discovery as comets. These comets are believed to form an almost spherical structure around the Sun and have been detected for hundreds of years seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The definition of life is still unknown and the origin of life remains a mystery.
27:24 - 38:36 (11:12)
Summary
The definition of life is still unknown and the origin of life remains a mystery. However, the idea of interstellar travel for life is not entirely implausible, as there could have been a previous system of planets within the solar system.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Simulating the formation of our solar system and others requires knowledge of numerous scientific fields, including gravity, magneto hydrodynamics, and quantum mechanics, and is a complex task that requires top-level understanding of the subjects involved.
38:36 - 45:41 (07:04)
Summary
Simulating the formation of our solar system and others requires knowledge of numerous scientific fields, including gravity, magneto hydrodynamics, and quantum mechanics, and is a complex task that requires top-level understanding of the subjects involved.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode discusses how waves behave in astrophysical discs and their similarity to wave functions of particles.
45:41 - 51:16 (05:35)
Summary
This episode discusses how waves behave in astrophysical discs and their similarity to wave functions of particles. Additionally, the episode touches upon a calculation tool for hydrogen energy levels.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast segment discusses the evolution of stars, from the clouds of gas they originated as, to the eventual collapse and formation of solar systems.
51:16 - 58:19 (07:02)
Summary
This podcast segment discusses the evolution of stars, from the clouds of gas they originated as, to the eventual collapse and formation of solar systems. By asking specific questions, theories about their evolution can be created and generalizations about the universe can be made.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The advancement of technology in video game graphics has made them look incredibly realistic, at times even transcending the perception of our actual reality.
58:19 - 1:06:14 (07:54)
Summary
The advancement of technology in video game graphics has made them look incredibly realistic, at times even transcending the perception of our actual reality.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Scientists theorize that an undiscovered Planet Nine in our solar system could cause anomalies in the orbits of other celestial bodies, such as Kuiper Belt Objects, and demonstrate flocking behavior.
1:06:14 - 1:14:29 (08:15)
Summary
Scientists theorize that an undiscovered Planet Nine in our solar system could cause anomalies in the orbits of other celestial bodies, such as Kuiper Belt Objects, and demonstrate flocking behavior. However, such anomalies do not align with traditional planet formation theories.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The search for Planet 9 could lead to the discovery of more planets and potentially intelligent alien civilizations throughout the universe.
1:14:29 - 1:21:19 (06:50)
Summary
The search for Planet 9 could lead to the discovery of more planets and potentially intelligent alien civilizations throughout the universe.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Black holes with a size equal to that of five Earth masses have an equivalent gravitational pull to a planet, making them a target for studying fundamental physics.
1:21:19 - 1:37:19 (16:00)
Summary
Black holes with a size equal to that of five Earth masses have an equivalent gravitational pull to a planet, making them a target for studying fundamental physics. Called primordial black holes, they're formed through pathways other than the usual method, and studying them could tell us things about the universe's past.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The potential benefits of solving the problem of sex in space and making Mars habitable even for short periods are enormous, from revolutionizing sex on Earth to engineering breakthroughs that can improve the quality of life on Earth.
1:37:19 - 1:43:23 (06:03)
Summary
The potential benefits of solving the problem of sex in space and making Mars habitable even for short periods are enormous, from revolutionizing sex on Earth to engineering breakthroughs that can improve the quality of life on Earth.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The question of military funding versus non-military funding can be complicated, but allocating funding for seemingly useless things like the mating patterns of penguins can potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
1:43:23 - 1:52:02 (08:39)
Summary
The question of military funding versus non-military funding can be complicated, but allocating funding for seemingly useless things like the mating patterns of penguins can potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries. The mechanistic understanding of the night sky led to transformative advancements in human history.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Two scientists have come up with a theory to explain the unusual shape and acceleration of Oumuamua.
1:52:02 - 1:57:34 (05:31)
Summary
Two scientists have come up with a theory to explain the unusual shape and acceleration of Oumuamua. They propose that it is a hydrogen iceberg that originated in a giant molecular cloud, providing a potential answer to the mystery of this interstellar object.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The prediction of how alien civilizations would look like is difficult due to the impossibility of identifying advanced technology or even predicting possible advancements, when considering how limited human imagination was in the past.
1:57:34 - 2:07:42 (10:08)
Summary
The prediction of how alien civilizations would look like is difficult due to the impossibility of identifying advanced technology or even predicting possible advancements, when considering how limited human imagination was in the past.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The advancement of technology has allowed us to interact with computers beyond their original function as a calculator, creating simulations to generate insights that were once unattainable.
2:07:42 - 2:14:03 (06:20)
Summary
The advancement of technology has allowed us to interact with computers beyond their original function as a calculator, creating simulations to generate insights that were once unattainable. The writer also believes that computation and programs written are becoming intelligent creatures.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The discussion revolves around the limitations of philosophical theories about music and the speaker's personal music preference citing Blink182's "What's My Age Again" and The Beatles as songwriting geniuses.
2:14:03 - 2:17:48 (03:45)
Summary
The discussion revolves around the limitations of philosophical theories about music and the speaker's personal music preference citing Blink182's "What's My Age Again" and The Beatles as songwriting geniuses.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The uniqueness and ability to differentiate between songs can scientifically determine the greatest song and band of all time, rather than relying on the current trendy music with similar production to lesser-known bands.
2:17:49 - 2:22:40 (04:50)
Summary
The uniqueness and ability to differentiate between songs can scientifically determine the greatest song and band of all time, rather than relying on the current trendy music with similar production to lesser-known bands.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Music plays an essential role in boosting creativity in all aspects of life, and having confidence is crucial to being a rockstar.
2:22:40 - 2:29:19 (06:39)
Summary
Music plays an essential role in boosting creativity in all aspects of life, and having confidence is crucial to being a rockstar. Though rare, moments of inspiration can be managed by finding hacks to maintain creativity while being super busy.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reminisces about childhood memories of McDonald's, such as waiting in a long line to get in, wondering about the process of injecting seeds into bread, and taking a bite of the iconic Big Mac.
2:29:19 - 2:32:52 (03:32)
Summary
The speaker reminisces about childhood memories of McDonald's, such as waiting in a long line to get in, wondering about the process of injecting seeds into bread, and taking a bite of the iconic Big Mac.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The discussion revolves around the idea of obtaining a PhD in science or not, where it is stated that it's not a prerequisite to work in the academic sector, and how leaving proofs of your efforts may significantly impact your future.
2:32:52 - 2:41:09 (08:16)
Summary
The discussion revolves around the idea of obtaining a PhD in science or not, where it is stated that it's not a prerequisite to work in the academic sector, and how leaving proofs of your efforts may significantly impact your future.
Episode#201 – Konstantin Batygin: Planet 9 and the Edge of Our Solar System
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reflects on the insignificance of human beings in the universe and our fundamental desire to expand our understanding of the world around us.
2:41:09 - 2:45:42 (04:33)
Summary
The speaker reflects on the insignificance of human beings in the universe and our fundamental desire to expand our understanding of the world around us. Despite our primitive nature, the evolution of life on Earth has led to the development of big brains that can contemplate the big questions.