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Measuring the Universe With a 14-Billion Light-Year Ruler

Since the time of the ancient Greeks, scientists have been constructing a cosmic measuring tape to measure the universe from our own backyard all the way to its ever-expanding edge: the cosmic distance ladder. In this video, we climb that ladder and explore how each rung has revealed something new and previously unthinkable about the universe we live in.

Measuring the Universe With a 14-Billion Light-Year Ruler

10m 40s

  • The Surprising Power of Sex in Evolution: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Surprising Power of Sex in Evolution

    S12 E7 - 8m 46s

    We all know Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, right? Natural selection? But what about his lesser-know theory of evolution: sexual selection. Let’s talk about how animals like peacocks, whose eye-catching physical traits make them evolutionarily stronger, even though their flashy looks make them more vulnerable to predators. Hint: it’s all about the chemistry.

  • Computers Can Predict When You're Going to Die… Here's How: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Computers Can Predict When You're Going to Die… Here's How

    S12 E6 - 12m 54s

    Predictive analytics uses math and historical data to make predictions about the future. It’s used in commerce, sports, politics, social media and tons of other places. And as it turns out, people have been using math to predict people’s death for centuries. Can it predict mine?

  • Can AI Help Us Talk to Whales?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Can AI Help Us Talk to Whales?

    S12 E5 - 21m 33s

    New technology is revolutionizing how we study and protect nature. In this video, we’ll learn how artificial intelligence is being used to decode the sonic landscapes of the ocean - specifically, whale song. That’s right, there may come a day soon where AI allows us to understand and talk to whales. But some scientists are saying: the question may actually be, SHOULD we talk to whales?

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