Why This Universe?

By Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

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, and more

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4.6

373373 ratings

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FAQs about Why This Universe?:

How many episodes does Why This Universe? have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.

Why This Universe? episodes:

September 29, 2025 94 - Inside the Hubble Tension With Adam Riess
Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisis means from Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess.
For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
Support the show
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32min
September 15, 2025 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 mysterious energy source called dark energy.
For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
Support the show
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41min
May 02, 2025 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 your questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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55min
March 09, 2025 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://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse
Support the show
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30min
January 13, 2025 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 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
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47min
December 23, 2024 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 can teach us about the Milky Way and beyond.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
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31min
November 04, 2024 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 dark energy evolved in recent history, and what is still left unknown.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
Support the show
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42min
October 14, 2024 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 years.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
Support the show
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38min
September 23, 2024 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 episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse.Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
Support the show
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29min
September 02, 2024 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 determine how broken it really is.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse.Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
Support the show
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40min

FAQs about Why This Universe?:

How many episodes does Why This Universe? have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.

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