PBS Space Time

Science and Nature Series / 9 Seasons

PBS Space Time explores the outer reaches of space, the craziness of astrophysics, the possibilities of sci-fi, and anything else you can think of beyond Planet Earth. Host Matt O'Dowd breaks down the both the basic and incredibly complex sides of space and time.

Watch Latest: S9 E22

11m 49s

5 Ways to Stop a Killer Asteroid

S1 E35 / 8m 31s

When it comes to dangerous asteroids striking Earth, it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. We have begun to track projectiles large enough to destroy our planet, and we are in the clear for the foreseeable future. However, there are countless asteroids large enough to take out an entire city that we cannot see.

How to Build a Blackhole

S1 E36 / 10m 58s

Black holes have mystified physicists for decades, but with the help of quantum mechanics, we are beginning to make serious progress in understanding these strange objects. This week on Space Time, Matt dives deeper into the physical process of creating a black hole, and what that can tell us about how black holes behave.

The Higgs Mechanism Explained

S1 E37 / 7m 49s

Quantum Field Theory is generally accepted as an accurate description of the subatomic universe. However until recently this theory had one giant hole in it. The particles it describes had no mass!

When Time Breaks Down

S1 E39 / 8m 4s

We learned how motion gives matter its mass, but how does motion affect time? Let’s dive deeper into the true nature of matter and mass by exploring Einstein’s photon clock thought experiment, and the phenomenon that is time dilation.

The Origin of Matter and Time

S1 E40 / 9m 21s

We’ve broken down our preconceived notions about mass and time, now let’s redefine what they really are. Since we know that time is not a universal constant, what is? Matt defines causal order and explains how even though time may look different to multiple observers, it is the one concrete reality that we can all agree on.

Will Mars or Venus Kill You First?

S1 E41 / 8m 44s

Humans have been talking about space colonization for quite some time, but our neighboring planets are not exactly the most hospitable places. If we are ever going to be successful, we should probably figure out where we could reasonably expect to survive.

LIGO's First Detection of Gravitational Waves!

S1 E42 / 7m 29s

Over 100 years after Einstein proposed his theory of general relativity, we are proud to announce that his final major prediction has been verified! Gravitational waves have officially been detected by LIGO! This is a huge deal and an exciting new step in understanding our universe.

Why the Big Bang Definitely Happened

S1 E43 / 8m 54s

We pretty much know for sure that the universe was once extremely small, and extremely hot. And we know that something set it in motion, expanding rapidly and continuing to do-so today. But the actual moment of ‘the Big Bang’ is still a bit of a grey area within physics.

What’s Wrong With the Big Bang Theory?

S1 E44 / 9m 56s

Let’s look further into what we don’t yet know about the Big Bang, and how the theory could progress in the future. Since there is a discrepancy between general relativity and quantum mechanics, we continue to search for a grand unifying theory... one which may finally lead to a description of the actual moment of the Big Bang!

Why is the Earth Round and the Milky Way Flat?

S1 E45 / 10m 48s

Our universe is not a very diverse place when it comes to shapes. Large celestial bodies become spheres, galaxies become discs, and there is little room for variation. Why is this? Well it turns out physics has some pretty strict rules when it comes to creating new planetary bodies.

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