98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)
An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum m...
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Why This Universe?
The biggest ideas in physics, broken down. Join theoretical physicist Dan Hooper and co-host Shalma Wegsman as they answer your questions about dark matter, black holes, quantum mechanics, a...
Why This Universe? Podcast Guide
Listen to Why This Universe?, a Science & Medicine podcast by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman. Stream 114 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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Episodes
20 of 114 episodes97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrö...
96 - The Making of Particle Fever (Ft. David Kaplan)
In the years leading up to the Large Hadron Collider turning on, the physics community was buzzing with curiosity and excitement about what...
95 - Would Aliens Have the Same Physics? (Ft. Daniel Whiteson)
If we met aliens, could we communicate through physics? Daniel Whiteson explores this question on today's episode. For more, check out...
38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses (2025 Update)
In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee. For ad-...
94 - Inside the Hubble Tension (Ft. Adam Riess)
Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisi...
93 - The Moment Dark Energy Appeared (Ft. Adam Riess)
Adam Riess recounts the moments of his Nobel prize-winning discovery that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, powered by a my...
AUA: Changing Dark Energy, Twin Paradox, and What's Next for CERN
We answer your questions. To listen to our backlog of ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to submit...
AUA: The Early Universe, Quantum Interpretations, and Asteroids
To listen to our backlog of past ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to ask us questions: https://w...
92 - What Cosmology Has in Store for 2025 (Ft. Dan Scolnic)
Learn what exciting cosmology results and potential discoveries await us in 2025!For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3...
91 - What Neutrinos Reveal About the Milky Way
A discovery last year reveals our galaxy in a whole new light - except it's not light, it's neutrinos! Learn what this discovery c...
90 - Quintessence: Is Dark Energy Changing? (Ft. Sean Carroll)
Is it possible that dark energy is not a constant, but rather is changing over time? Sean Carroll talks to us about how our understanding of...
89 - A Dark Matter Vibe Check
Dan and Shalma have a candid conversation about the state of dark matter research, and the ways the field has changed over the last few year...
88 - Why Does Our Universe Exist At All? (Ft. Sean Carroll)
Why does something exist, rather than nothing? Special guest Sean Carroll helps us explore this deep philosophical question.For ad free epis...
87 - The Good and the Bad of Peer Review
There has been some criticism of the process scientists use to check each other's work. Today we take a deep dive into peer review to d...
28 - How Noether's Theorem Changed Physics (Rerun)
Learn how Noether's profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the univ...
86 - The Life and Death of Stars
We explore the diverse world of stars in the universe, from those similar to our Sun to those totally unrecognizable.For ad free episodes an...
85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future
Today's episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change...
84 - The Search For New Worlds (ft. Josh Winn)
Hear how the search for exoplanets has developed, and what surprises it has brought so far.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join u...
83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg)
Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974.For ad free episodes and othe...