Neil deGrasse did an Ask Me Anything on Reddit over the weekend
And he blew everyone’s mind, duh.
Q: What is your favorite short science fact you like to tell people to really make them think? (redwater)
A: That our bodies atoms are traceable to supernova stars that scattered their chemical enrichment across the cosmos, spawning the birth of star systems that contain planets, at least one of them containing life.
Q: What never fails to blow your mind in physics? (guitard00d123)
A: 1) The fact that an electron has no known size — it’s smaller than the smallest measurement we have ever made of anything.
2) That Quarks come only in pairs: If you try to separate two of them, the energy you sink into the system to accomplish this feat is exactly the energy to spontaneously create two more quarks - one to partner with each of those you pulled apart.
3) That the space-time structure inside a rotating black hole does not preclude the existence of an entire other universe. MindBlown x 3
Q: What do you think will be the biggest scientific breakthrough upcoming in the next 50 years? (agoody117)
A: Life elsewhere in the solar system. Mars, most likely.
Q: What are you feelings on religion and the afterlife, and are you scared to die? (Reasonable_Roger).
A: “I remain unconvinced that anything other than rapid decomposition is the fate of my body and mind after death. I’ve accomplished enough in life so that I do not fear death. In fact, I’ve left instructions for my Epitaph - a quote from the educator, Horace Mann: “Be Ashamed to Die, Until You Have Scored Some Victory for Humanity”. That’s the creed I live by. And will die by.”
Q: If a taco and a burrito are traveling near the speed of light and collide, will the result be delicious? (detaer)
A: The result would be an explosion large enough to destroy a small village. high speed collisions do that, whether or not they are made of Mexican food.
Q: Can we inspire more kids to pursue space-related science and research? If so, how? (h3h)
A: Kids are never the problem. They are born scientists. The problem is always the adults. The beat the curiosity out of the kids. They out-number kids. They vote. They wield resources. That’s why my public focus is primarily adults.
(via DailyDot)
