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, and more. Part of The University of Chicago Podcast Network.
Podcasting since 2020 • 110 episodes
Why This Universe?
Latest Episodes
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-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: htt...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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35:17
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 crisis means from Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess.For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, joi...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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32:43
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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41:11