Deciphering the Cosmos, with Neil deGrasse Tyson – Week 2

Teacher or professor: StarTalk
Subject: Astronomy
Content of the Lesson: We’re continuing our celebration of Cosmos: Possible Worlds as Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice offer a companion episode of StarTalk Radio for you to enjoy right after you finish watching the latest Cosmos episodes. For this episode, we are taking a look at Cosmos episodes three, “Lost City of Life,” and episode four, Vavilov.” We start with episode three as Neil and Chuck welcome Denton Ebel, Division Chair and Curator, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Division of Physical Sciences at the American Museum of Natural History. Our trio explore one of Neil’s favorite moments from the new series where he takes an adventure on the Ship of the Imagination to explore the oceans of Enceladus. We discuss the abundance, and importance, of olivine in the universe. Then, we move on to episode four which explores the life and work of Nikolai Vavilov. We discuss his commitment to scientific truths in the face of great peril. Neil sits down with executive producer Brannon Braga to investigate some of the themes that run through this episode including the prominent rise of denialism today. Brannon reflects on making sure that Cosmos has a positive narrative. We also chat with science communicator and psychologist Cara Santa Maria about the best ways to communicate science. Lastly, you’ll learn about filming at the house of Charles Darwin from Neil and executive producer Jason Clark. Find out the profound effect the filming had on Jason. Neil shares how he felt when he visited the Flower of Kent, the tree where Sir Isaac Newton allegedly saw an apple fall to the ground setting off his inspiration to unlock the laws of gravity. All that, plus, Chuck and Neil weigh in on what it means to be special.


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