"The world." "The world." "The world." "From the moment the cosmos began" "From the moment the cosmos began" "From the moment the cosmos began to the creation of our world and" "To the creation of our world and" "To the creation of our world and everything in it and beyond to" "Everything in it and beyond to" "Everything in it and beyond to the far, far future and the end" "The far, far future and the end" "The far, far future and the end of the universe itself." "Of the universe itself." "Of the universe itself." "A journey through all of space" "A journey through all of space" "A journey through all of space and all of time." "And all of time." "And all of time." "checkitout." "checkitout." "checkitout." "Ispendalot oftime" "Ispendalot oftime" "Ispendalot oftime  thinking about the universe, but" "Thinking about the universe, but" "Thinking about the universe, but I never get bored." "I never get bored." "I never get bored." "After all it's a pretty" "After all it's a pretty" "After all it's a pretty extraordinary place." "Extraordinary place." "Extraordinary place." "This is the cosmos." "This is the cosmos." "This is the cosmos." "And a very large scale." "And a very large scale." "And a very large scale." "Each tiny point of light is an" "Each tiny point of light is an" "Each tiny point of light is an entire galaxy." "Entire galaxy." "Entire galaxy." "Each a class of as many as 400" "Each a class of as many as 400" "Each a class of as many as 400 billion individual stars." "Billion individual stars." "Billion individual stars." "This view of the universe is" "This view of the universe is" "This view of the universe is only possible due to the latest" "Only possible due to the latest" "Only possible due to the latest super computers." "Super computers." "Super computers." "I find it indescribably" "I find it indescribably" "I find it indescribably beautiful." "Beautiful." "Beautiful." "Uncountable billions of galaxies" "Uncountable billions of galaxies" "Uncountable billions of galaxies forming a vast web stretch away" "Forming a vast web stretch away" "Forming a vast web stretch away in all directions." "In all directions." "In all directions." "What's more, I never get over" "What's more, I never get over" "What's more, I never get over the fact that within this" "The fact that within this" "The fact that within this massive universe lies one" "Massive universe lies one" "Massive universe lies one perfectly ordinary spiral" "Perfectly ordinary spiral" "Perfectly ordinary spiral galaxy." "Galaxy." "Galaxy." "Inside that galaxy exists a" "Inside that galaxy exists a" "Inside that galaxy exists a common place yellow star." "Common place yellow star." "Common place yellow star." "Orbited by eight planets." "Orbited by eight planets." "Orbited by eight planets." "On one of those planets lives a" "On one of those planets lives a" "On one of those planets lives a species that is only just worked" "Species that is only just worked" "Species that is only just worked out what a remarkable place the" "Out what a remarkable place the" "Out what a remarkable place the universe is." "Universe is." "Universe is." "We've discovered more about the" "We've discovered more about the" "We've discovered more about the cosmos in the last century than" "Cosmos in the last century than" "Cosmos in the last century than in all previous human history." "In all previous human history." "In all previous human history." "Finally we are solving the" "Finally we are solving the" "Finally we are solving the basic mysteries that have" "Basic mysteries that have" "Basic mysteries that have perplexed our ancestors for at" "Perplexed our ancestors for at" "Perplexed our ancestors for at least 200,000 years." "Least 200,000 years." "Least 200,000 years." "What I like above all is that" "What I like above all is that" "What I like above all is that the facts themselves are both" "The facts themselves are both" "The facts themselves are both breath takingly elegant and" "Breath takingly elegant and" "Breath takingly elegant and surprising." "Surprising." "Surprising." "wearelivingthattheearth  wearelivingthattheearth  wearelivingthattheearth  and everything around us was" "And everything around us was" "And everything around us was made by the stars." "Made by the stars." "Made by the stars." "Boiling fantasies are hide jens" "Boiling fantasies are hide jens" "Boiling fantasies are hide jens gas like our sun made even the" "Gas like our sun made even the" "Gas like our sun made even the atoms." "Atoms." "Atoms." "We worked out that the universe" "We worked out that the universe" "We worked out that the universe is almost unimaginably ancient." "Is almost unimaginably ancient." "Is almost unimaginably ancient." "About 14 billion years old." "About 14 billion years old." "About 14 billion years old." "That it will continue to exist" "That it will continue to exist" "That it will continue to exist for at least twice that long." "For at least twice that long." "For at least twice that long." "Without a doubt, the most" "Without a doubt, the most" "Without a doubt, the most remarkable fact of all is that" "Remarkable fact of all is that" "Remarkable fact of all is that the entire enormous universe," "The entire enormous universe," "The entire enormous universe, all the e num rabl galaxies and" "All the e num rabl galaxies and" "All the e num rabl galaxies and even time and space and the" "Even time and space and the" "Even time and space and the forces of nature themselves" "Forces of nature themselves" "Forces of nature themselves simply materialized out of" "Simply materialized out of" "Simply materialized out of nothing." "Nothing." "Nothing." "So now is a good time to be" "So now is a good time to be" "So now is a good time to be alive, I think." "Alive, I think." "Alive, I think." "We may only be an advanced breed" "We may only be an advanced breed" "We may only be an advanced breed living on this small planet, but" "Living on this small planet, but" "Living on this small planet, but we are able to contemplate the" "We are able to contemplate the" "We are able to contemplate the universe as a whole that makes" "Universe as a whole that makes" "Universe as a whole that makes us very special." "Us very special." "Us very special." "My goal has always been simple." "My goal has always been simple." "My goal has always been simple." "To work out how the universe" "To work out how the universe" "To work out how the universe works and how it exists at all." "Works and how it exists at all." "Works and how it exists at all." "Luckily there clues everywhere" "Luckily there clues everywhere" "Luckily there clues everywhere and the most important one is" "And the most important one is" "And the most important one is right above our heads." "Right above our heads." "Right above our heads." "examineanypatchofthe examineanypatchofthe examineanypatchofthe night sky." "Night sky." "Night sky." "Even one as small as the head of" "Even one as small as the head of" "Even one as small as the head of a pin and this is what you will" "A pin and this is what you will" "A pin and this is what you will find." "Find." "Find." "A tiny part of the vast web of" "A tiny part of the vast web of" "A tiny part of the vast web of galaxies." "Galaxies." "Galaxies." "It's less than a millionth of" "It's less than a millionth of" "It's less than a millionth of what we can see from our" "What we can see from our" "What we can see from our climate." "Climate." "Climate." "Even this tiny sample is enough" "Even this tiny sample is enough" "Even this tiny sample is enough to find a clue, the key to the" "To find a clue, the key to the" "To find a clue, the key to the past, the present, and perhaps" "Past, the present, and perhaps" "Past, the present, and perhaps the future too." "The future too." "The future too." "The clue is that seen from" "The clue is that seen from" "The clue is that seen from earth, all these distant" "Earth, all these distant" "Earth, all these distant galaxies are slightly red in" "Galaxies are slightly red in" "Galaxies are slightly red in color." "Color." "Color." "They appear almost as if we were" "They appear almost as if we were" "They appear almost as if we were looking through rose-tinted" "Looking through rose-tinted" "Looking through rose-tinted glasses." "Glasses." "Glasses." "It's this very redness that" "It's this very redness that" "It's this very redness that reveals how the universe was" "Reveals how the universe was" "Reveals how the universe was born." "Born." "Born." "And to show you why, I used a" "And to show you why, I used a" "And to show you why, I used a straight road and a noisy car." "Straight road and a noisy car." "Straight road and a noisy car." "Listen to the sound as it passes" "Listen to the sound as it passes" "Listen to the sound as it passes by." "By." "By." "As the car approaches the pitch" "As the car approaches the pitch" "As the car approaches the pitch of its engine it rises." "Of its engine it rises." "Of its engine it rises." "As it goes away, the pitch of" "As it goes away, the pitch of" "As it goes away, the pitch of its engine falls." "Its engine falls." "Its engine falls." "This phenomenon is called a" "This phenomenon is called a" "This phenomenon is called a doppler shift." "Doppler shift." "Doppler shift." "The exact same thing happens" "The exact same thing happens" "The exact same thing happens with light." "With light." "With light." "If our eyes were more sensitive" "If our eyes were more sensitive" "If our eyes were more sensitive to color, we could see that the" "To color, we could see that the" "To color, we could see that the color is slightly blue as it" "Color is slightly blue as it" "Color is slightly blue as it approaches." "Approaches." "Approaches." "And very slightly red as it goes" "And very slightly red as it goes" "And very slightly red as it goes away." "Away." "Away." "The same rules apply in space." "The same rules apply in space." "The same rules apply in space." "All distant galaxies are" "All distant galaxies are" "All distant galaxies are slightly red in color." "Slightly red in color." "Slightly red in color." "So by the exact same piece of" "So by the exact same piece of" "So by the exact same piece of basic physics, they must all be" "Basic physics, they must all be" "Basic physics, they must all be moving away too." "Moving away too." "Moving away too." "In fact, the whole universe is" "In fact, the whole universe is" "In fact, the whole universe is expanding." "Expanding." "Expanding." "In all directions." "In all directions." "In all directions." "Getting bigger and bigger, like" "Getting bigger and bigger, like" "Getting bigger and bigger, like a balloon inflating." "A balloon inflating." "A balloon inflating." "I admit this sounds strange, but" "I admit this sounds strange, but" "I admit this sounds strange, but to coz molgss it's like winning" "To coz molgss it's like winning" "To coz molgss it's like winning the lottery." "The lottery." "The lottery." "To work out where the universe" "To work out where the universe" "To work out where the universe came from, all we need to do is" "Came from, all we need to do is" "Came from, all we need to do is to stop time." "To stop time." "To stop time." "Make it run in reverse." "Make it run in reverse." "Make it run in reverse." "Rewind far enough and everything" "Rewind far enough and everything" "Rewind far enough and everything gets closer together." "Gets closer together." "Gets closer together." "A lot closer together." "A lot closer together." "A lot closer together." "All the galaxies." "All the galaxies." "All the galaxies." "In fact, every single thing" "In fact, every single thing" "In fact, every single thing converges to a single point." "Converges to a single point." "Converges to a single point." "The start of everything, 13.7" "The start of everything, 13.7" "The start of everything, 13.7 billion years ago." "Billion years ago." "Billion years ago." "So it's quite simple really." "So it's quite simple really." "So it's quite simple really." "Follow the clues and we can" "Follow the clues and we can" "Follow the clues and we can dedeuce that a very long time" "Dedeuce that a very long time" "Dedeuce that a very long time ago, the universe simply burst" "Ago, the universe simply burst" "Ago, the universe simply burst into existence." "Into existence." "Into existence." "An event called the big bang." "An event called the big bang." "An event called the big bang." "But I'm afraid we have to stop a" "But I'm afraid we have to stop a" "But I'm afraid we have to stop a moment." "Moment." "Moment." "Before we get carried away by" "Before we get carried away by" "Before we get carried away by fire and noise, at the very" "Fire and noise, at the very" "Fire and noise, at the very beginning the big bang actually" "Beginning the big bang actually" "Beginning the big bang actually happened in total darkness" "Happened in total darkness" "Happened in total darkness because light didn't exist yet." "Because light didn't exist yet." "Because light didn't exist yet." "To see it, we would have needed" "To see it, we would have needed" "To see it, we would have needed some kind of cosmic night" "Some kind of cosmic night" "Some kind of cosmic night vision." "Vision." "Vision." "But even this, a view from the" "But even this, a view from the" "But even this, a view from the outside is impossible." "Outside is impossible." "Outside is impossible." "Again, it sounds strange, but" "Again, it sounds strange, but" "Again, it sounds strange, but space didn't exist then either." "Space didn't exist then either." "Space didn't exist then either." "So there was no outside." "So there was no outside." "So there was no outside." "The only place there was was" "The only place there was was" "The only place there was was inside." "Inside." "Inside." "This early universe was a very" "This early universe was a very" "This early universe was a very strange thing indeed." "Strange thing indeed." "Strange thing indeed." "There is still much I would love" "There is still much I would love" "There is still much I would love to know about it, but standard" "To know about it, but standard" "To know about it, but standard concepts of time or space don't" "Concepts of time or space don't" "Concepts of time or space don't really apply." "Really apply." "Really apply." "It was just a very tiny ultra" "It was just a very tiny ultra" "It was just a very tiny ultra hot fog of energy." "Hot fog of energy." "Hot fog of energy." "Then it expanded." "Then it expanded." "Then it expanded." "With a tremendous flash of" "With a tremendous flash of" "With a tremendous flash of radiation." "Radiation." "Radiation." "From smaller than an atom to" "From smaller than an atom to" "From smaller than an atom to about the size of an orange in" "About the size of an orange in" "About the size of an orange in less than a trillionth of a" "Less than a trillionth of a" "Less than a trillionth of a second." "Second." "Second." "Almost no time at all." "Almost no time at all." "Almost no time at all." "The universe simply inflated" "The universe simply inflated" "The universe simply inflated into existence." "Into existence." "Into existence." "Unfolding, unfurling, getting" "Unfolding, unfurling, getting" "Unfolding, unfurling, getting bigger and cooler with every" "Bigger and cooler with every" "Bigger and cooler with every passing moment." "Passing moment." "Passing moment." "Within 100 seconds, it was as" "Within 100 seconds, it was as" "Within 100 seconds, it was as big as our solar system." "Big as our solar system." "Big as our solar system." "Trillions of miles across." "Trillions of miles across." "Trillions of miles across." "While this was happening, the" "While this was happening, the" "While this was happening, the pure energy of the cosmos began" "Pure energy of the cosmos began" "Pure energy of the cosmos began to cool and create matter." "To cool and create matter." "To cool and create matter." "In the form of countless" "In the form of countless" "In the form of countless trillions of subatomic" "Trillions of subatomic" "Trillions of subatomic particles." "Particles." "Particles." "The first stuff there ever was." "The first stuff there ever was." "The first stuff there ever was." "Half these particles were made" "Half these particles were made" "Half these particles were made of matter, the same kind of" "Of matter, the same kind of" "Of matter, the same kind of stuff that makes us." "Stuff that makes us." "Stuff that makes us." "The rest were matter of the" "The rest were matter of the" "The rest were matter of the opposite called anti-matter." "Opposite called anti-matter." "Opposite called anti-matter." "When they meet they destroy each" "When they meet they destroy each" "When they meet they destroy each north a flash of energy." "North a flash of energy." "North a flash of energy." "It seems as if building the" "It seems as if building the" "It seems as if building the universe is a pretty wasteful" "Universe is a pretty wasteful" "Universe is a pretty wasteful process." "Process." "Process." "Fortunately there was just a bit" "Fortunately there was just a bit" "Fortunately there was just a bit more matter than anti-matter." "More matter than anti-matter." "More matter than anti-matter." "One in a billion particles of" "One in a billion particles of" "One in a billion particles of stuff survived." "Stuff survived." "Stuff survived." "Which was lucky for us." "Which was lucky for us." "Which was lucky for us." "That residue is what our present" "That residue is what our present" "That residue is what our present day universe is made of." "Day universe is made of." "Day universe is made of." "You could say we are made of the" "You could say we are made of the" "You could say we are made of the smoke of the big bang." "Smoke of the big bang." "Smoke of the big bang." "By the time the cosmos was 10" "By the time the cosmos was 10" "By the time the cosmos was 10 minutes old, it was already" "Minutes old, it was already" "Minutes old, it was already thousands of light years in" "Thousands of light years in" "Thousands of light years in diamet" "Diamet" "Diamet diameter." "Diameter." "Diameter." "After that, everything spread" "After that, everything spread" "After that, everything spread out and cooled for about 330,000" "Out and cooled for about 330,000" "Out and cooled for about 330,000 years." "Years." "Years." "Finally the fog cleared and the" "Finally the fog cleared and the" "Finally the fog cleared and the universe became visible." "Universe became visible." "Universe became visible." "That's how everything got going." "That's how everything got going." "That's how everything got going." "I think it's a pretty fantastic" "I think it's a pretty fantastic" "I think it's a pretty fantastic story and probably much stranger" "Story and probably much stranger" "Story and probably much stranger than anything our ancestors came" "Than anything our ancestors came" "Than anything our ancestors came up with by way of an" "Up with by way of an" "Up with by way of an explanation." "Explanation." "Explanation." "But the next thing that" "But the next thing that" "But the next thing that happened, well that's" "Happened, well that's" "Happened, well that's thisistheuniverseseen in thisistheuniverseseen in thisistheuniverseseen in extreme fast forward." "Extreme fast forward." "Extreme fast forward." "All 14 billion years in less" "All 14 billion years in less" "All 14 billion years in less than a minute." "Than a minute." "Than a minute." "It shows how the universe" "It shows how the universe" "It shows how the universe changed from a cloud of gas into" "Changed from a cloud of gas into" "Changed from a cloud of gas into a place filled with perhaps 100" "A place filled with perhaps 100" "A place filled with perhaps 100 billion galaxies, swirling in a" "Billion galaxies, swirling in a" "Billion galaxies, swirling in a vast chaotic dance." "Vast chaotic dance." "Vast chaotic dance." "What I love to get people" "What I love to get people" "What I love to get people thinking about is that all this" "Thinking about is that all this" "Thinking about is that all this happened to be built, atom by" "Happened to be built, atom by" "Happened to be built, atom by atom, ke lestial engineering on" "Atom, ke lestial engineering on" "Atom, ke lestial engineering on a spectacular scale." "A spectacular scale." "A spectacular scale." "What drove this cosmic effect?" "What drove this cosmic effect?" "What drove this cosmic effect?" "I would say it was the force of" "I would say it was the force of" "I would say it was the force of gravity." "Gravity." "Gravity." "The idea of gravity was worked" "The idea of gravity was worked" "The idea of gravity was worked out by sir isaac newton." "Out by sir isaac newton." "Out by sir isaac newton." "You have the same job as me here" "You have the same job as me here" "You have the same job as me here at cambridge university back in" "At cambridge university back in" "At cambridge university back in the 17th century." "The 17th century." "The 17th century." "It supposely donned on him when" "It supposely donned on him when" "It supposely donned on him when an apple fell on his head." "An apple fell on his head." "An apple fell on his head." "The apple helped him realize" "The apple helped him realize" "The apple helped him realize that all events were next to" "That all events were next to" "That all events were next to each other." "Each other." "Each other." "These apples are attracted to" "These apples are attracted to" "These apples are attracted to the earth and although you can't" "The earth and although you can't" "The earth and although you can't see it, the earth moves very" "See it, the earth moves very" "See it, the earth moves very slightly up towards the apples." "Slightly up towards the apples." "Slightly up towards the apples." "All thins come together through" "All thins come together through" "All thins come together through the power of gravity." "The power of gravity." "The power of gravity." "Gravity was created in the big" "Gravity was created in the big" "Gravity was created in the big bang and has been at work ever" "Bang and has been at work ever" "Bang and has been at work ever since." "Since." "Since." "It's what keeps you, me, and" "It's what keeps you, me, and" "It's what keeps you, me, and apples stuck to the earth." "Apples stuck to the earth." "Apples stuck to the earth." "In the early universe, gravity" "In the early universe, gravity" "In the early universe, gravity had a much bigger to play." "Had a much bigger to play." "Had a much bigger to play." "rightafterthebig bang,the rightafterthebig bang,the rightafterthebig bang,the universe was just gas." "Universe was just gas." "Universe was just gas." "Almost perfectly spread out" "Almost perfectly spread out" "Almost perfectly spread out throughout space." "Throughout space." "Throughout space." "Over the next 200 million years," "Over the next 200 million years," "Over the next 200 million years, gravity began to pull the gas" "Gravity began to pull the gas" "Gravity began to pull the gas back together to produce the" "Back together to produce the" "Back together to produce the very first structures from which" "Very first structures from which" "Very first structures from which everything else would grow." "Everything else would grow." "Everything else would grow." "But even this very nearly didn't" "But even this very nearly didn't" "But even this very nearly didn't happen." "Happen." "Happen." "If it weren't for another stroke" "If it weren't for another stroke" "If it weren't for another stroke of coz ming luck, there would be" "Of coz ming luck, there would be" "Of coz ming luck, there would be no you, no me, no stars or" "No you, no me, no stars or" "No you, no me, no stars or planets or anything at all." "Planets or anything at all." "Planets or anything at all." "We know this because in 1982 a" "We know this because in 1982 a" "We know this because in 1982 a group of scientists including" "Group of scientists including" "Group of scientists including myself spent three solid weeks" "Myself spent three solid weeks" "Myself spent three solid weeks working it out." "Working it out." "Working it out." "Although the calculations were" "Although the calculations were" "Although the calculations were hard, demonstrating what we" "Hard, demonstrating what we" "Hard, demonstrating what we discovered is easy." "Discovered is easy." "Discovered is easy." "First, I need a nice flat floor" "First, I need a nice flat floor" "First, I need a nice flat floor like this one, for example." "Like this one, for example." "Like this one, for example." "This is the dining room in my" "This is the dining room in my" "This is the dining room in my college." "College." "College." "I'm going to fill the place with" "I'm going to fill the place with" "I'm going to fill the place with lots and lots of ball bearings." "Lots and lots of ball bearings." "Lots and lots of ball bearings." "These represent the matter of" "These represent the matter of" "These represent the matter of the early universe." "The early universe." "The early universe." "A thin gas spread out evenly" "A thin gas spread out evenly" "A thin gas spread out evenly across the vast cosmos." "Across the vast cosmos." "Across the vast cosmos." "Here's where luck comes in." "Here's where luck comes in." "Here's where luck comes in." "If they are all the same" "If they are all the same" "If they are all the same distance apart, gravity pulls" "Distance apart, gravity pulls" "Distance apart, gravity pulls each the same amount in all" "Each the same amount in all" "Each the same amount in all directions." "Directions." "Directions." "They stay perfectly aligned and" "They stay perfectly aligned and" "They stay perfectly aligned and precisely nothing happens." "Precisely nothing happens." "Precisely nothing happens." "Fortunately one of the basic" "Fortunately one of the basic" "Fortunately one of the basic rules of the universe is that" "Rules of the universe is that" "Rules of the universe is that nothing's perfect." "Nothing's perfect." "Nothing's perfect." "Perfection simply doesn't exist." "Perfection simply doesn't exist." "Perfection simply doesn't exist." "The early universe had a tiny" "The early universe had a tiny" "The early universe had a tiny unevenness that can be simulated" "Unevenness that can be simulated" "Unevenness that can be simulated by removing just five ball" "By removing just five ball" "By removing just five ball bearings." "Bearings." "Bearings." "It may not look like much has" "It may not look like much has" "It may not look like much has changed, but to gravity, those" "Changed, but to gravity, those" "Changed, but to gravity, those missing balls create a giant" "Missing balls create a giant" "Missing balls create a giant opportunity." "Opportunity." "Opportunity." "Gravity now pulls more strongly" "Gravity now pulls more strongly" "Gravity now pulls more strongly on one side of some of the" "On one side of some of the" "On one side of some of the bearings." "Bearings." "Bearings." "The tiny irregularities in the" "The tiny irregularities in the" "The tiny irregularities in the sea of ball bearings have given" "Sea of ball bearings have given" "Sea of ball bearings have given gravity something to sink its" "Gravity something to sink its" "Gravity something to sink its teeth into." "Teeth into." "Teeth into." "This is exactly what happened" "This is exactly what happened" "This is exactly what happened back where we left the young" "Back where we left the young" "Back where we left the young universe." "Universe." "Universe." "Parts of the sea of early gas" "Parts of the sea of early gas" "Parts of the sea of early gas were ever so slightly thinner" "Were ever so slightly thinner" "Were ever so slightly thinner than others." "Than others." "Than others." "The less dense areas were like" "The less dense areas were like" "The less dense areas were like the gaps between the ball" "The gaps between the ball" "The gaps between the ball bearings." "Bearings." "Bearings." "The denser parts of the sea of" "The denser parts of the sea of" "The denser parts of the sea of gas where gravity was having its" "Gas where gravity was having its" "Gas where gravity was having its way clumped together." "Way clumped together." "Way clumped together." "It was in these areas that all" "It was in these areas that all" "It was in these areas that all the stars and galaxies would" "The stars and galaxies would" "The stars and galaxies would fall." "Fall." "Fall." "The cosmos had taken its first" "The cosmos had taken its first" "The cosmos had taken its first step towards the beautiful place" "Step towards the beautiful place" "Step towards the beautiful place it is today." "It is today." "It is today." "All thanks to irregularity," "All thanks to irregularity," "All thanks to irregularity, imperfection, a lack of" "Imperfection, a lack of" "Imperfection, a lack of ordinary." "Ordinary." "Ordinary." "So next time someone complains" "So next time someone complains" "So next time someone complains that you have made a mistake," "That you have made a mistake," "That you have made a mistake, him that may be a good thing" "Him that may be a good thing" "Him that may be a good thing because without" "Because without" "Because without 13.5billionyearsago ,the  13.5billionyearsago ,the" "13.5billionyearsago ,the  universe was mostly hydrogen gas" "Universe was mostly hydrogen gas" "Universe was mostly hydrogen gas with gravity doing what gravity" "With gravity doing what gravity" "With gravity doing what gravity does which is to slowly pull it" "Does which is to slowly pull it" "Does which is to slowly pull it into vast clouds." "Into vast clouds." "Into vast clouds." "Hydrogen is the simplest of" "Hydrogen is the simplest of" "Hydrogen is the simplest of gasses." "Gasses." "Gasses." "But it has a very special" "But it has a very special" "But it has a very special property." "Property." "Property." "It's a tremendous source of" "It's a tremendous source of" "It's a tremendous source of power." "Power." "Power." "Heat hydrogen to 10 million" "Heat hydrogen to 10 million" "Heat hydrogen to 10 million degrees and it produces the" "Degrees and it produces the" "Degrees and it produces the energy that makes the stars" "Energy that makes the stars" "Energy that makes the stars shine." "Shine." "Shine." "And supplies the universe with" "And supplies the universe with" "And supplies the universe with warmth and light." "Warmth and light." "Warmth and light." "To see how this works, let's" "To see how this works, let's" "To see how this works, let's imagine we can make a small star" "Imagine we can make a small star" "Imagine we can make a small star here on earth." "Here on earth." "Here on earth." "First, we need plenty of" "First, we need plenty of" "First, we need plenty of hydrogen gas, about a sport's" "Hydrogen gas, about a sport's" "Hydrogen gas, about a sport's stadium full would be perfect." "Stadium full would be perfect." "Stadium full would be perfect." "Next we need to imagine" "Next we need to imagine" "Next we need to imagine squishing this hydrogen" "Squishing this hydrogen" "Squishing this hydrogen together." "Together." "Together." "Just as gravity does in space." "Just as gravity does in space." "Just as gravity does in space." "As the hydrogen compacts, atoms" "As the hydrogen compacts, atoms" "As the hydrogen compacts, atoms bounce off each other and the" "Bounce off each other and the" "Bounce off each other and the temperature begins to rise." "Temperature begins to rise." "Temperature begins to rise." "By the time it's compressed down" "By the time it's compressed down" "By the time it's compressed down to the size of the soccer ball," "To the size of the soccer ball," "To the size of the soccer ball, the hydrogen reaches the" "The hydrogen reaches the" "The hydrogen reaches the critical 10 million degrees and" "Critical 10 million degrees and" "Critical 10 million degrees and a process called nuclear fusion" "A process called nuclear fusion" "A process called nuclear fusion begins." "Begins." "Begins." "The hydrogen starts to fuse" "The hydrogen starts to fuse" "The hydrogen starts to fuse together, making a new, heavier" "Together, making a new, heavier" "Together, making a new, heavier material." "Material." "Material." "Helium." "Helium." "Helium." "With every step of this tiny" "With every step of this tiny" "With every step of this tiny bump and grind, some matter gets" "Bump and grind, some matter gets" "Bump and grind, some matter gets converted into pure energy." "Converted into pure energy." "Converted into pure energy." "We have created a miniature" "We have created a miniature" "We have created a miniature star." "Star." "Star." "Of course if this was a real" "Of course if this was a real" "Of course if this was a real experiment, you wouldn't want to" "Experiment, you wouldn't want to" "Experiment, you wouldn't want to go anywhere near it." "Go anywhere near it." "Go anywhere near it." "The energy given off even from a" "The energy given off even from a" "The energy given off even from a star this small would be" "Star this small would be" "Star this small would be devastating." "Devastating." "Devastating." "Back in the early universe, the" "Back in the early universe, the" "Back in the early universe, the same process happened for the" "Same process happened for the" "Same process happened for the first time on a much, much" "First time on a much, much" "First time on a much, much bigger scale." "Bigger scale." "Bigger scale." "Gravity compressed the hydrogen" "Gravity compressed the hydrogen" "Gravity compressed the hydrogen gas clouds over millions of" "Gas clouds over millions of" "Gas clouds over millions of years until deep in the center," "Years until deep in the center," "Years until deep in the center, the hydrogen became hot enough" "The hydrogen became hot enough" "The hydrogen became hot enough for fusion to occur." "For fusion to occur." "For fusion to occur." "The first star burst into light." "The first star burst into light." "The first star burst into light." "Pouring its energy into the vast" "Pouring its energy into the vast" "Pouring its energy into the vast universe." "Universe." "Universe." "A product of the laws of nature" "A product of the laws of nature" "A product of the laws of nature and the raw materials left over" "And the raw materials left over" "And the raw materials left over from the big bang." "From the big bang." "From the big bang." "It was almost 1,000 times bigger" "It was almost 1,000 times bigger" "It was almost 1,000 times bigger than our own sun and burned a" "Than our own sun and burned a" "Than our own sun and burned a deep blue." "Deep blue." "Deep blue." "What's more, this star soon had" "What's more, this star soon had" "What's more, this star soon had company." "Company." "Company." "The stars were turning on." "The stars were turning on." "The stars were turning on." "This same process still happens" "This same process still happens" "This same process still happens which is where we get the energy" "Which is where we get the energy" "Which is where we get the energy we need to live." "We need to live." "We need to live." "There was a long way to go to" "There was a long way to go to" "There was a long way to go to get from this to where we are" "Get from this to where we are" "Get from this to where we are today." "You can't build a world like" "You can't build a world like" "You can't build a world like ours from simple gasses such as" "Ours from simple gasses such as" "Ours from simple gasses such as hydrogen and helium." "Hydrogen and helium." "Hydrogen and helium." "You need all sorts of other" "You need all sorts of other" "You need all sorts of other elements." "Elements." "Elements." "You need elements like oxygen" "You need elements like oxygen" "You need elements like oxygen and carbon and many more." "And carbon and many more." "And carbon and many more." "We got lucky yet again." "We got lucky yet again." "We got lucky yet again." "The same process that causes the" "The same process that causes the" "The same process that causes the stars to shine also just happens" "Stars to shine also just happens" "Stars to shine also just happens to make materials like oxygen" "To make materials like oxygen" "To make materials like oxygen and carbon and iron." "And carbon and iron." "And carbon and iron." "Stars simply by accident are" "Stars simply by accident are" "Stars simply by accident are giant factories." "Giant factories." "Giant factories." "To see a star in action." "To see a star in action." "To see a star in action." "Let's imagine I can split one in" "Let's imagine I can split one in" "Let's imagine I can split one in half." "Half." "Half." "Just as in the soccer ball star," "Just as in the soccer ball star," "Just as in the soccer ball star, the hydrogen atoms are creating" "The hydrogen atoms are creating" "The hydrogen atoms are creating helium that produces the star's" "Helium that produces the star's" "Helium that produces the star's energy." "Energy." "Energy." "Helium is slightly heavier than" "Helium is slightly heavier than" "Helium is slightly heavier than hydrogen." "Hydrogen." "Hydrogen." "It sinks to the center of the" "It sinks to the center of the" "It sinks to the center of the star." "Star." "Star." "Now the helium atoms take center" "Now the helium atoms take center" "Now the helium atoms take center stage." "Stage." "Stage." "As they fuse together, they" "As they fuse together, they" "As they fuse together, they produce more energy." "Produce more energy." "Produce more energy." "Form yet another new element." "Form yet another new element." "Form yet another new element." "Carbon." "Carbon." "Carbon." "A vital building block of every" "A vital building block of every" "A vital building block of every living thing." "Living thing." "Living thing." "The process repeats itself over" "The process repeats itself over" "The process repeats itself over and over and the star becomes" "And over and the star becomes" "And over and the star becomes layered, like an onion." "Layered, like an onion." "Layered, like an onion." "A really big onion." "A really big onion." "A really big onion." "The closer to the center, last" "The closer to the center, last" "The closer to the center, last of all why things change." "Of all why things change." "Of all why things change." "Iron doesn't produce the fire" "Iron doesn't produce the fire" "Iron doesn't produce the fire that needs to go out." "That needs to go out." "That needs to go out." "More and more iron builds up in" "More and more iron builds up in" "More and more iron builds up in the star's core until almost all" "The star's core until almost all" "The star's core until almost all the remaining fuel runs out." "The remaining fuel runs out." "The remaining fuel runs out." "Now gravity takes over and" "Now gravity takes over and" "Now gravity takes over and squashes the star in on itself." "Squashes the star in on itself." "Squashes the star in on itself." "As its core gets more and more" "As its core gets more and more" "As its core gets more and more compressed, the temperature" "Compressed, the temperature" "Compressed, the temperature soars until it's 100 times" "Soars until it's 100 times" "Soars until it's 100 times hotter than the core of our own" "Hotter than the core of our own" "Hotter than the core of our own sun." "Sun." "Sun." "Finally the star collapses and" "Finally the star collapses and" "Finally the star collapses and explodes." "Explodes." "Explodes." "This is a super nova." "This is a super nova." "This is a super nova." "The death of a star." "The death of a star." "The death of a star." "And the birth of something new." "And the birth of something new." "And the birth of something new." "In these brief microseconds, a" "In these brief microseconds, a" "In these brief microseconds, a massive shock wave passes" "Massive shock wave passes" "Massive shock wave passes through the star." "Through the star." "Through the star." "The blast is so powerful that it" "The blast is so powerful that it" "The blast is so powerful that it forces some of the iron to fuse" "Forces some of the iron to fuse" "Forces some of the iron to fuse into even heavier elements." "Into even heavier elements." "Into even heavier elements." "And that's how heavy elements" "And that's how heavy elements" "And that's how heavy elements such as gold or platinum or lead" "Such as gold or platinum or lead" "Such as gold or platinum or lead are made." "Are made." "Are made." "Forged in the heart of an" "Forged in the heart of an" "Forged in the heart of an exploding star." "Exploding star." "Exploding star." "If you have a gold ring, make" "If you have a gold ring, make" "If you have a gold ring, make sure you appreciate it." "Sure you appreciate it." "Sure you appreciate it." "The metal was made in a blinding" "The metal was made in a blinding" "The metal was made in a blinding flash of light billions of years" "Flash of light billions of years" "Flash of light billions of years ago." "Ago." "Ago." "The finale of the process that" "The finale of the process that" "The finale of the process that produced the elements all-around" "Produced the elements all-around" "Produced the elements all-around us today.Around" "Us today.Around" "Us today.Around us toda around" "Us toda around" "Us toda around us today." "Us today." "Us today." "It never ceases to amaze me that" "It never ceases to amaze me that" "It never ceases to amaze me that our bodies are constructed of" "Our bodies are constructed of" "Our bodies are constructed of the stuff of stars." "The stuff of stars." "The stuff of stars." "That our hearts beat because of" "That our hearts beat because of" "That our hearts beat because of the energy given off as the" "The energy given off as the" "The energy given off as the materials are made." "Materials are made." "Materials are made." "But as magical as the star is," "But as magical as the star is," "But as magical as the star is, there is more fascinating and" "There is more fascinating and" "There is more fascinating and powerful things in our enormous" "Powerful things in our enormous" "Powerful things in our enormous cosmos." "Cosmos." "Cosmos." "around300millionyears around300millionyears around300millionyears after the big bang, the early" "After the big bang, the early" "After the big bang, the early stars began to form galaxies" "Stars began to form galaxies" "Stars began to form galaxies which slowly took on a" "Which slowly took on a" "Which slowly took on a bewildering variety of shapes" "Bewildering variety of shapes" "Bewildering variety of shapes and sizes." "And sizes." "And sizes." "Our galaxy, the milky way, is" "Our galaxy, the milky way, is" "Our galaxy, the milky way, is thought to be one of the oldest," "Thought to be one of the oldest," "Thought to be one of the oldest, having started to assemble" "Having started to assemble" "Having started to assemble itself some 13 billion years" "Itself some 13 billion years" "Itself some 13 billion years ago." "Ago." "Ago." "It's roughly 6,000 billion miles" "It's roughly 6,000 billion miles" "It's roughly 6,000 billion miles in diameter and contains" "In diameter and contains" "In diameter and contains something like 200 billion" "Something like 200 billion" "Something like 200 billion individual stars." "Individual stars." "Individual stars." "Nobody is quite sure exactly how" "Nobody is quite sure exactly how" "Nobody is quite sure exactly how many since they can't all be" "Many since they can't all be" "Many since they can't all be seen from earth and anyway, it" "Seen from earth and anyway, it" "Seen from earth and anyway, it would take a long time to count." "Would take a long time to count." "Would take a long time to count." "Because all these stars were" "Because all these stars were" "Because all these stars were built by gravity, you could say" "Built by gravity, you could say" "Built by gravity, you could say that gravity is the hero of the" "That gravity is the hero of the" "That gravity is the hero of the universe." "Universe." "Universe." "After all, it turned a" "After all, it turned a" "After all, it turned a meaningless soup of gas into" "Meaningless soup of gas into" "Meaningless soup of gas into something of beauty and power." "Something of beauty and power." "Something of beauty and power." "Like all interesting heroes," "Like all interesting heroes," "Like all interesting heroes, gravity has its dark side." "Gravity has its dark side." "Gravity has its dark side." "Right in the center of our" "Right in the center of our" "Right in the center of our galaxy lies an example of what" "Galaxy lies an example of what" "Galaxy lies an example of what happens when gravity rules" "Happens when gravity rules" "Happens when gravity rules unchallenged." "Unchallenged." "Unchallenged." "The black hole." "The black hole." "The black hole." "When I was in my 20s, I did some" "When I was in my 20s, I did some" "When I was in my 20s, I did some of the basic mathematics of" "Of the basic mathematics of" "Of the basic mathematics of black holes, but few people" "Black holes, but few people" "Black holes, but few people shared my fascination." "Shared my fascination." "Shared my fascination." "These days, they are a popular" "These days, they are a popular" "These days, they are a popular subject." "Subject." "Subject." "physicistsalloverthe world physicistsalloverthe world physicistsalloverthe world are studying black home" "Are studying black home" "Are studying black home behavior." "Behavior." "Behavior." "We know that black holes are not" "We know that black holes are not" "We know that black holes are not only fascinating in their own" "Only fascinating in their own" "Only fascinating in their own right, but that they play a" "Right, but that they play a" "Right, but that they play a fundamental role in the" "Fundamental role in the" "Fundamental role in the formation of galaxies." "Formation of galaxies." "Formation of galaxies." "They also give us a glimpse of" "They also give us a glimpse of" "They also give us a glimpse of how the universe may end." "How the universe may end." "How the universe may end." "A black hole form when is a" "A black hole form when is a" "A black hole form when is a large star 20 times the mass of" "Large star 20 times the mass of" "Large star 20 times the mass of our sun comes to the end of its" "Our sun comes to the end of its" "Our sun comes to the end of its life." "Life." "Life." "This star looks nothing like our" "This star looks nothing like our" "This star looks nothing like our sun because it's become" "Sun because it's become" "Sun because it's become unstable, convulsing violently" "Unstable, convulsing violently" "Unstable, convulsing violently as death throws begin." "As death throws begin." "As death throws begin." "Finally it runs out of fuel and" "Finally it runs out of fuel and" "Finally it runs out of fuel and begins to shrink, getting denser" "Begins to shrink, getting denser" "Begins to shrink, getting denser and denser, hotter and hotter." "And denser, hotter and hotter." "And denser, hotter and hotter." "But with a star this massive," "But with a star this massive," "But with a star this massive, there is no force in the" "There is no force in the" "There is no force in the universe capable of stopping the" "Universe capable of stopping the" "Universe capable of stopping the collapse." "Collapse." "Collapse." "The core is so heavy that it" "The core is so heavy that it" "The core is so heavy that it just keeps on falling in on" "Just keeps on falling in on" "Just keeps on falling in on itself." "Itself." "Itself." "Gravity is running wild." "Gravity is running wild." "Gravity is running wild." "In just 15 seconds or so, the" "In just 15 seconds or so, the" "In just 15 seconds or so, the unstoppable force crushes the" "Unstoppable force crushes the" "Unstoppable force crushes the star from millions of miles in" "Star from millions of miles in" "Star from millions of miles in diameter to as little as 12" "Diameter to as little as 12" "Diameter to as little as 12 miles in diameter." "Miles in diameter." "Miles in diameter." "All the mass that was in the" "All the mass that was in the" "All the mass that was in the star is still there, but its own" "Star is still there, but its own" "Star is still there, but its own weight keeps forceing it down" "Weight keeps forceing it down" "Weight keeps forceing it down smaller and smaller still.The" "Smaller and smaller still.The" "Smaller and smaller still.The temperature of the core sores to" "Temperature of the core sores to" "Temperature of the core sores to 100 billion degrees.The tempera 100 billion degrees.The tempera" "100 billion degrees.The tempera sores to 100 billion degrees." "Sores to 100 billion degrees." "Sores to 100 billion degrees." "Ing it down smaller and smaller" "Ing it down smaller and smaller" "Ing it down smaller and smaller still." "Still." "Still." "The temperature of the core" "The temperature of the core" "The temperature of the core sores to 100 billion degrees." "The outer layers are blasted" "The outer layers are blasted" "The outer layers are blasted away in a massive super nova." "Away in a massive super nova." "Away in a massive super nova." "But deep in the center the core" "But deep in the center the core" "But deep in the center the core falls down what we call a" "Falls down what we call a" "Falls down what we call a graphtational well." "Graphtational well." "Graphtational well." "It rushes itself into a single" "It rushes itself into a single" "It rushes itself into a single point." "Point." "Point." "A black hole is born." "A black hole is born." "A black hole is born." "Nothing nearby can escape its" "Nothing nearby can escape its" "Nothing nearby can escape its pull, not even light." "Pull, not even light." "Pull, not even light." "It's hard to imagine how dense a" "It's hard to imagine how dense a" "It's hard to imagine how dense a black hole can be." "Black hole can be." "Black hole can be." "I will try to put it into" "I will try to put it into" "I will try to put it into perspective using something" "Perspective using something" "Perspective using something familiar." "Familiar." "Familiar." "The earth." "The earth." "The earth." "Imagine piece by piece I could" "Imagine piece by piece I could" "Imagine piece by piece I could compress our planet and crush it" "Compress our planet and crush it" "Compress our planet and crush it until gravity took over." "Until gravity took over." "Until gravity took over." "It became a black hole." "It became a black hole." "It became a black hole." "How small would it have to be to" "How small would it have to be to" "How small would it have to be to vanish down its own" "Vanish down its own" "Vanish down its own graphtational well?" "I would have to crush it to the" "I would have to crush it to the" "I would have to crush it to the size of a pea." "Size of a pea." "Size of a pea." "In my years studying black" "In my years studying black" "In my years studying black holes, one of the most" "Holes, one of the most" "Holes, one of the most unexpected discoveries is that a" "Unexpected discoveries is that a" "Unexpected discoveries is that a black hole cannot be perfectly" "Black hole cannot be perfectly" "Black hole cannot be perfectly black." "Black." "Black." "For much the same reason as the" "For much the same reason as the" "For much the same reason as the early universe could not have" "Early universe could not have" "Early universe could not have been perfectly spread out." "Been perfectly spread out." "Been perfectly spread out." "There is no such thing as" "There is no such thing as" "There is no such thing as perfection." "Perfection." "Perfection." "Black holes must give off" "Black holes must give off" "Black holes must give off radiation." "Radiation." "Radiation." "The smaller the black hole, the" "The smaller the black hole, the" "The smaller the black hole, the greater the radiation." "Greater the radiation." "Greater the radiation." "Even tinier hole would actually" "Even tinier hole would actually" "Even tinier hole would actually shine." "Shine." "Shine." "Out in space most black holes" "Out in space most black holes" "Out in space most black holes are much larger." "Are much larger." "Are much larger." "The smaller ones have around" "The smaller ones have around" "The smaller ones have around four times the mass of our sun." "Four times the mass of our sun." "Four times the mass of our sun." "They are 15 miles in diameter." "They are 15 miles in diameter." "They are 15 miles in diameter." "Some are much larger." "Some are much larger." "Some are much larger." "Containing the mass of thousands" "Containing the mass of thousands" "Containing the mass of thousands of suns." "Of suns." "Of suns." "Then there the really big ones." "Then there the really big ones." "Then there the really big ones." "Super massive black holes." "Super massive black holes." "Super massive black holes." "They exist at the centers of" "They exist at the centers of" "They exist at the centers of galaxies like our own." "Galaxies like our own." "Galaxies like our own." "This black hole is thought to" "This black hole is thought to" "This black hole is thought to have the mass of four million" "Have the mass of four million" "Have the mass of four million suns." "Suns." "Suns." "And a diameter of 11 million" "And a diameter of 11 million" "And a diameter of 11 million miles." "Miles." "Miles." "Black holes like these are the" "Black holes like these are the" "Black holes like these are the heavy hubs around which many" "Heavy hubs around which many" "Heavy hubs around which many galaxies including the milky way" "Galaxies including the milky way" "Galaxies including the milky way rotate." "Rotate." "Rotate." "A kind of stabilizer that gives" "A kind of stabilizer that gives" "A kind of stabilizer that gives them form and shape." "Them form and shape." "Them form and shape." "So eight billion years after the" "So eight billion years after the" "So eight billion years after the big bang, after a long and" "Big bang, after a long and" "Big bang, after a long and remarkable run of good luck, we" "Remarkable run of good luck, we" "Remarkable run of good luck, we have stars and we have galaxies," "Have stars and we have galaxies," "Have stars and we have galaxies, slely rotating around giant" "Slely rotating around giant" "Slely rotating around giant black holes." "Black holes." "Black holes." "Now the scene is set for" "Now the scene is set for" "Now the scene is set for something close to our hearts." "Something close to our hearts." "Something close to our hearts." "The formation of our sun, the" "The formation of our sun, the" "The formation of our sun, the earth, and" "Earth, and" "Earth, and areoursolarsystem,edthe areoursolarsystem,edthe areoursolarsystem,edthe place we call home lies 26,000" "Place we call home lies 26,000" "Place we call home lies 26,000 light years from the center of" "Light years from the center of" "Light years from the center of our galaxy, the milky way." "Our galaxy, the milky way." "Our galaxy, the milky way." "Around 2/3 of the way out." "Around 2/3 of the way out." "Around 2/3 of the way out." "The story of how these huge" "The story of how these huge" "The story of how these huge planets were orbiting, a yellow" "Planets were orbiting, a yellow" "Planets were orbiting, a yellow star is six billion years long" "Star is six billion years long" "Star is six billion years long and since we don't have that" "And since we don't have that" "And since we don't have that much time, I will speed it up a" "Much time, I will speed it up a" "Much time, I will speed it up a bit." "Bit." "Bit." "The stars with a bang." "The stars with a bang." "The stars with a bang." "Long ago an ancient star" "Long ago an ancient star" "Long ago an ancient star exploded, littering space with" "Exploded, littering space with" "Exploded, littering space with the swirling clouds of the" "The swirling clouds of the" "The swirling clouds of the materials it made while it lived" "Materials it made while it lived" "Materials it made while it lived and the heavy metals it made" "And the heavy metals it made" "And the heavy metals it made while it died." "While it died." "While it died." "We know this because we see" "We know this because we see" "We know this because we see similar feels of dust out in" "Similar feels of dust out in" "Similar feels of dust out in space today." "Space today." "Space today." "They are called nebuli and they" "They are called nebuli and they" "They are called nebuli and they are beautiful." "Are beautiful." "Are beautiful." "In our case the clouds contained" "In our case the clouds contained" "In our case the clouds contained nitrogen and oxygen and iron and" "Nitrogen and oxygen and iron and" "Nitrogen and oxygen and iron and sill ka and all the other stuff" "Sill ka and all the other stuff" "Sill ka and all the other stuff needed to build the world." "Needed to build the world." "Needed to build the world." "Then the tireless force of" "Then the tireless force of" "Then the tireless force of gravity started to pull it all" "Gravity started to pull it all" "Gravity started to pull it all back together." "Back together." "Back together." "The heavy naturaling that" "The heavy naturaling that" "The heavy naturaling that produces planets began vast" "Produces planets began vast" "Produces planets began vast swirls of dust began to form and" "Swirls of dust began to form and" "Swirls of dust began to form and at the center of one of these, a" "At the center of one of these, a" "At the center of one of these, a rocky planet called earth" "Rocky planet called earth" "Rocky planet called earth started to take shape." "Started to take shape." "Started to take shape." "Built of stardust and assembled" "Built of stardust and assembled" "Built of stardust and assembled by gravity." "By gravity." "By gravity." "Fast forward 100 million years" "Fast forward 100 million years" "Fast forward 100 million years and it had grown into a giant" "And it had grown into a giant" "And it had grown into a giant hole, sweeping up celestial" "Hole, sweeping up celestial" "Hole, sweeping up celestial debris." "Debris." "Debris." "This is where the earth came" "This is where the earth came" "This is where the earth came from." "From." "From." "Therefore how you and I began" "Therefore how you and I began" "Therefore how you and I began our planet would have remained a" "Our planet would have remained a" "Our planet would have remained a large sterile ball of rock and" "Large sterile ball of rock and" "Large sterile ball of rock and metals and minerals forever." "Metals and minerals forever." "Metals and minerals forever." "Were it not for more event, one" "Were it not for more event, one" "Were it not for more event, one more expression of the forces of" "More expression of the forces of" "More expression of the forces of nature." "Nature." "Nature." "93 million miles away at the 93 million miles away at the 93 million miles away at the heart of the giant nebulous the" "Heart of the giant nebulous the" "Heart of the giant nebulous the temperature of a ball of" "Temperature of a ball of" "Temperature of a ball of hydrogen gas had become so" "Hydrogen gas had become so" "Hydrogen gas had become so great, the atoms were beginning" "Great, the atoms were beginning" "Great, the atoms were beginning to fuse." "To fuse." "To fuse." "A new star, our sun, was coming" "A new star, our sun, was coming" "A new star, our sun, was coming to life." "To life." "To life." "As the sun ignited, it gave off" "As the sun ignited, it gave off" "As the sun ignited, it gave off a huge blast of solar wind." "A huge blast of solar wind." "A huge blast of solar wind." "A radioactive gust of energy." "A radioactive gust of energy." "A radioactive gust of energy." "This blew all the remaining dust" "This blew all the remaining dust" "This blew all the remaining dust and gas left over from the" "And gas left over from the" "And gas left over from the nebula out to the edge of the" "Nebula out to the edge of the" "Nebula out to the edge of the solar system which is why" "Solar system which is why" "Solar system which is why everything is nice and orderly" "Everything is nice and orderly" "Everything is nice and orderly today." "Today." "Today." "In the outer reaches of the" "In the outer reaches of the" "In the outer reaches of the solar system, we have the huge" "Solar system, we have the huge" "Solar system, we have the huge gas planets, jupiter, saturn," "Gas planets, jupiter, saturn," "Gas planets, jupiter, saturn, uranus and neptune." "Uranus and neptune." "Uranus and neptune." "Further in are the denser," "Further in are the denser," "Further in are the denser, rockier planets." "Rockier planets." "Rockier planets." "Mercury, venus, mars, and of" "Mercury, venus, mars, and of" "Mercury, venus, mars, and of course the earth." "Course the earth." "Course the earth." "Lucky for us the sun is 865,000" "Lucky for us the sun is 865,000" "Lucky for us the sun is 865,000 miles in diameter or just the" "Miles in diameter or just the" "Miles in diameter or just the right size to burn consistently" "Right size to burn consistently" "Right size to burn consistently for a very long time." "For a very long time." "For a very long time." "Eight billion" "Eight billion" "." ". lifeisoneofthestrangest lifeisoneofthestrangest lifeisoneofthestrangest phenomena known." "Phenomena known." "Phenomena known." "In my opinion it shows that the" "In my opinion it shows that the" "In my opinion it shows that the universe is capable of almost" "Universe is capable of almost" "Universe is capable of almost anything." "Anything." "Anything." "Yet it amazes me that we can" "Yet it amazes me that we can" "Yet it amazes me that we can know so much about how the" "Know so much about how the" "Know so much about how the universe began many billions of" "Universe began many billions of" "Universe began many billions of years ago, but we have yet to" "Years ago, but we have yet to" "Years ago, but we have yet to discover how life itself began." "Discover how life itself began." "Discover how life itself began." "The most likely explanation is" "The most likely explanation is" "The most likely explanation is probably that we are an" "Probably that we are an" "Probably that we are an accident." "Accident." "Accident." "Just by chance some molecules" "Just by chance some molecules" "Just by chance some molecules jumped into each other at random" "Jumped into each other at random" "Jumped into each other at random until one formed that could copy" "Until one formed that could copy" "Until one formed that could copy itself." "Itself." "Itself." "Then began the slow process of" "Then began the slow process of" "Then began the slow process of evolution that led to all the" "Evolution that led to all the" "Evolution that led to all the extraordinary diversity of on" "Extraordinary diversity of on" "Extraordinary diversity of on earth." "Earth." "Earth." "Life simply seems to be what" "Life simply seems to be what" "Life simply seems to be what matter does given the right" "Matter does given the right" "Matter does given the right conditions and enough time." "Conditions and enough time." "Conditions and enough time." "I think life is common" "I think life is common" "I think life is common throughout the universe, but" "Throughout the universe, but" "Throughout the universe, but that's another tale all" "That's another tale all" "That's another tale all together." "Together." "Together." "As life developed, it changed" "As life developed, it changed" "As life developed, it changed the planet on which it was born," "The planet on which it was born," "The planet on which it was born, altering the very fabric of the" "Altering the very fabric of the" "Altering the very fabric of the earth." "Earth." "Earth." "After 4 1/2 billion years, the" "After 4 1/2 billion years, the" "After 4 1/2 billion years, the human race arrived on the scene." "Human race arrived on the scene." "Human race arrived on the scene." "But one thing often troubles" "But one thing often troubles" "But one thing often troubles people when they hear this" "People when they hear this" "People when they hear this story." "Story." "Story." "An astounding chain of events" "An astounding chain of events" "An astounding chain of events that result in us be an" "That result in us be an" "That result in us be an accident?" "Accident?" "Accident?" "Perhaps science revealed there" "Perhaps science revealed there" "Perhaps science revealed there is some higher authority at" "Is some higher authority at" "Is some higher authority at work, setting the laws of nature" "Work, setting the laws of nature" "Work, setting the laws of nature so that our universe and we can" "So that our universe and we can" "So that our universe and we can exist." "Exist." "Exist." "onthefaceofit,lifedoes onthefaceofit,lifedoes onthefaceofit,lifedoes seem to be too unlikely to be a" "Seem to be too unlikely to be a" "Seem to be too unlikely to be a coinciden" "Coinciden" "Coinciden coincidence." "Coincidence." "Coincidence." "Think about it." "Think about it." "Think about it." "The earth lies at exactly the" "The earth lies at exactly the" "The earth lies at exactly the right distance from the sun to" "Right distance from the sun to" "Right distance from the sun to allow liquid water to exist on" "Allow liquid water to exist on" "Allow liquid water to exist on the surface." "The surface." "The surface." "And the sun just happens to be" "And the sun just happens to be" "And the sun just happens to be the right size to burn long" "The right size to burn long" "The right size to burn long enough for to have evolved." "Enough for to have evolved." "Enough for to have evolved." "The solar system is littered" "The solar system is littered" "The solar system is littered with all the elements needed for" "With all the elements needed for" "With all the elements needed for life." "Life." "Life." "These elements are only possible" "These elements are only possible" "These elements are only possible because of older stars that" "Because of older stars that" "Because of older stars that burned out." "Burned out." "Burned out." "These older styles only existed" "These older styles only existed" "These older styles only existed because of a tiny unevenness in" "Because of a tiny unevenness in" "Because of a tiny unevenness in the early pri moerdial gas." "The early pri moerdial gas." "The early pri moerdial gas." "It was itself produced by a one" "It was itself produced by a one" "It was itself produced by a one in a billion imbalance in the" "In a billion imbalance in the" "In a billion imbalance in the sea of particles that came from" "Sea of particles that came from" "Sea of particles that came from the big bang." "The big bang." "The big bang." "Is there a grand designer who" "Is there a grand designer who" "Is there a grand designer who lined up all this good fortune?" "Lined up all this good fortune?" "Lined up all this good fortune?" "In my opinion, not necessarily." "In my opinion, not necessarily." "In my opinion, not necessarily." "Look at it this way." "Look at it this way." "Look at it this way." "What if there were other" "What if there were other" "What if there were other universes?" "Universes?" "Universes?" "Ones not as lucky as ours." "Ones not as lucky as ours." "Ones not as lucky as ours." "Each of these universes could" "Each of these universes could" "Each of these universes could have come from its own big bang" "Have come from its own big bang" "Have come from its own big bang with different laws of physics" "With different laws of physics" "With different laws of physics and different conditions." "And different conditions." "And different conditions." "Gravity may not exist and there" "Gravity may not exist and there" "Gravity may not exist and there could be no life." "Could be no life." "Could be no life." "In others hydrogen may not fuse" "In others hydrogen may not fuse" "In others hydrogen may not fuse so there would be no stars and" "So there would be no stars and" "So there would be no stars and again no life." "Again no life." "Again no life." "For any number of reasons," "For any number of reasons," "For any number of reasons, universes could have come and" "Universes could have come and" "Universes could have come and gone without producing anything" "Gone without producing anything" "Gone without producing anything at all." "At all." "At all." "So perhaps we should not be too" "So perhaps we should not be too" "So perhaps we should not be too surprised to find ourselves in a" "Surprised to find ourselves in a" "Surprised to find ourselves in a perfect universe orbiting a" "Perfect universe orbiting a" "Perfect universe orbiting a perfect sun on a perfect planet" "Perfect sun on a perfect planet" "Perfect sun on a perfect planet because such perfect places are" "Because such perfect places are" "Because such perfect places are the ohm ones where like us can" "The ohm ones where like us can" "The ohm ones where like us can exist.N ones where like us can" "Exist.N ones where like us can" "Exist.N ones where like us can exisl ones where like us can" "Exisl ones where like us can" "Exisl ones where like us can exisy ones where like us can" "Exisy ones where like us can" "Exisy ones where like us can exist." "Exist." "Exist." "We are one of the many products" "We are one of the many products" "We are one of the many products of the universe, the result of" "Of the universe, the result of" "Of the universe, the result of an ancient and elegant" "An ancient and elegant" "An ancient and elegant mechanism, but even this" "Mechanism, but even this" "Mechanism, but even this remarkable discovery is only" "Remarkable discovery is only" "Remarkable discovery is only just the beginning of what" "Just the beginning of what" "Just the beginning of what physics can tell us." "Physics can tell us." "Physics can tell us." "We find out what human kind will" "We find out what human kind will" "We find out what human kind will face in the distant future." "Face in the distant future." "Face in the distant future." "And ultimately we might discover" "And ultimately we might discover" "And ultimately we might discover the fate of th" "The fate of th" "The fate of th onereasonIlovedcosmology onereasonIlovedcosmology onereasonIlovedcosmology is it tells us not only where" "Is it tells us not only where" "Is it tells us not only where the vast web of galaxies in our" "The vast web of galaxies in our" "The vast web of galaxies in our universe came from, but what" "Universe came from, but what" "Universe came from, but what lies in store for the universe" "Lies in store for the universe" "Lies in store for the universe and for us." "And for us." "And for us." "I think it's pretty exciting to" "I think it's pretty exciting to" "I think it's pretty exciting to be among the first human beings" "Be among the first human beings" "Be among the first human beings able to look forward for" "Able to look forward for" "Able to look forward for hundreds and even billions of" "Hundreds and even billions of" "Hundreds and even billions of years." "Years." "Years." "Maybe as far as the end of time" "Maybe as far as the end of time" "Maybe as far as the end of time itself." "Itself." "Itself." "What I see is not only the" "What I see is not only the" "What I see is not only the future of the coz months we" "Future of the coz months we" "Future of the coz months we inhabit, but also the enormous" "Inhabit, but also the enormous" "Inhabit, but also the enormous challenges our species will" "Challenges our species will" "Challenges our species will face." "Face." "Face." "After all, we are puny organisms" "After all, we are puny organisms" "After all, we are puny organisms compared to the mighty universe" "Compared to the mighty universe" "Compared to the mighty universe that made us." "That made us." "That made us." "It will not always be the blue" "It will not always be the blue" "It will not always be the blue sanctuary that is today." "Sanctuary that is today." "Sanctuary that is today." "thecontinentsof ourplanet thecontinentsof ourplanet thecontinentsof ourplanet are drifting." "Are drifting." "Are drifting." "Fast forward 75 million years" "Fast forward 75 million years" "Fast forward 75 million years and they will be clustered" "And they will be clustered" "And they will be clustered towards the south pole." "Towards the south pole." "Towards the south pole." "No one knows if it will be" "No one knows if it will be" "No one knows if it will be inhabitable, but we may not last" "Inhabitable, but we may not last" "Inhabitable, but we may not last long enough to find out." "Long enough to find out." "Long enough to find out." "As we gaze into the future, it" "As we gaze into the future, it" "As we gaze into the future, it turns out that the universe is a" "Turns out that the universe is a" "Turns out that the universe is a pretty dangerous place." "Pretty dangerous place." "Pretty dangerous place." "Just look at our neighborhood." "Just look at our neighborhood." "Just look at our neighborhood." "It is littered with billions of" "It is littered with billions of" "It is littered with billions of asteroids." "Asteroids." "Asteroids." "Left over from the process that" "Left over from the process that" "Left over from the process that built the solar system." "Built the solar system." "Built the solar system." "The possibility of one of these" "The possibility of one of these" "The possibility of one of these wiping us out is not just the" "Wiping us out is not just the" "Wiping us out is not just the stuff of hollywood disaster" "Stuff of hollywood disaster" "Stuff of hollywood disaster movies." "Movies." "Movies." "The threat from asteroids is" "The threat from asteroids is" "The threat from asteroids is real." "Real." "Real." "We have given some of them" "We have given some of them" "We have given some of them names." "Names." "Names." "This one is after a mythical" "This one is after a mythical" "This one is after a mythical egyptian demon, a god of" "Egyptian demon, a god of" "Egyptian demon, a god of darkness and destruction." "Darkness and destruction." "Darkness and destruction." "Discovered in 2004, it's the" "Discovered in 2004, it's the" "Discovered in 2004, it's the size of a 100-story skyscraper." "Size of a 100-story skyscraper." "Size of a 100-story skyscraper." "It weighs about 20 billion tons." "It weighs about 20 billion tons." "It weighs about 20 billion tons." "Speeding through space at 28,000" "Speeding through space at 28,000" "Speeding through space at 28,000 miles an hour, 10 times as fast" "Miles an hour, 10 times as fast" "Miles an hour, 10 times as fast as a bullet, it carries almost" "As a bullet, it carries almost" "As a bullet, it carries almost as much energy as all the" "As much energy as all the" "As much energy as all the world's nuclear weapons" "World's nuclear weapons" "World's nuclear weapons combined." "Combined." "Combined." "And we know roughly where it's" "And we know roughly where it's" "And we know roughly where it's headed." "Headed." "Headed." "The precise path is not yet" "The precise path is not yet" "The precise path is not yet fully known." "Fully known." "Fully known." "But on April 13th, 2029, this" "But on April 13th, 2029, this" "But on April 13th, 2029, this hume rock is likely to pass" "Hume rock is likely to pass" "Hume rock is likely to pass within 23,000 miles of the" "Within 23,000 miles of the" "Within 23,000 miles of the planet's surface." "Planet's surface." "Planet's surface." "The satellites in orbit around" "The satellites in orbit around" "The satellites in orbit around the earth it will give us all a" "The earth it will give us all a" "The earth it will give us all a scare." "Scare." "Scare." "Luckily there is very little" "Luckily there is very little" "Luckily there is very little chance that will it actually hit" "Chance that will it actually hit" "Chance that will it actually hit us, but the problem for humanity" "Us, but the problem for humanity" "Us, but the problem for humanity is that in space there is always" "Is that in space there is always" "Is that in space there is always a bigger rock." "A bigger rock." "A bigger rock." "There thousands of really large" "There thousands of really large" "There thousands of really large asterioids out here." "Asterioids out here." "Asterioids out here." "Some are over 10 miles long." "Some are over 10 miles long." "Some are over 10 miles long." "The size of manhattan." "The size of manhattan." "The size of manhattan." "An asteriod this size hits the" "An asteriod this size hits the" "An asteriod this size hits the earth every 100 million years or" "Earth every 100 million years or" "Earth every 100 million years or so." "So." "So." "The last one struck the earth 65" "The last one struck the earth 65" "The last one struck the earth 65 million years ago." "Million years ago." "Million years ago." "It probably was responsible for" "It probably was responsible for" "It probably was responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs." "Wiping out the dinosaurs." "Wiping out the dinosaurs." "We don't know when the next" "We don't know when the next" "We don't know when the next asteriod will strike, but if it" "Asteriod will strike, but if it" "Asteriod will strike, but if it was big enough, it couldstercou" "Was big enough, it couldstercou" "Was big enough, it couldstercou liz our planet." "Liz our planet." "Liz our planet." "That would be the end of the" "That would be the end of the" "That would be the end of the story of live on earth." "Story of live on earth." "Story of live on earth." "Even if we avoid such a natural" "Even if we avoid such a natural" "Even if we avoid such a natural catastrophe, we could all too" "Catastrophe, we could all too" "Catastrophe, we could all too easily end up destroying" "Easily end up destroying" "Easily end up destroying ourselves." "Ourselves." "Ourselves." "In the last 10 thousand then" "In the last 10 thousand then" "In the last 10 thousand then years, humans have come to" "Years, humans have come to" "Years, humans have come to dominate the planet." "Dominate the planet." "Dominate the planet." "We are so successful, it's" "We are so successful, it's" "We are so successful, it's tempting to think we are" "Tempting to think we are" "Tempting to think we are evolution's grand prize." "Evolution's grand prize." "Evolution's grand prize." "But I believe intelligence is" "But I believe intelligence is" "But I believe intelligence is probably overrated." "Probably overrated." "Probably overrated." "It's not necessarily a good" "It's not necessarily a good" "It's not necessarily a good thing for a species's survival." "Thing for a species's survival." "Thing for a species's survival." "Bacteria have managed out it for" "Bacteria have managed out it for" "Bacteria have managed out it for over three billion years." "Over three billion years." "Over three billion years." "Intelligence at least in our" "Intelligence at least in our" "Intelligence at least in our case leads to technology." "Case leads to technology." "Case leads to technology." "And there many ways technology" "And there many ways technology" "And there many ways technology could wipe us out." "Could wipe us out." "Could wipe us out." "The most obvious, of course, the" "The most obvious, of course, the" "The most obvious, of course, the threat from nuclear weapons." "Threat from nuclear weapons." "Threat from nuclear weapons." "Even if the risk of a nuclear" "Even if the risk of a nuclear" "Even if the risk of a nuclear war happening in one year is" "War happening in one year is" "War happening in one year is miniscule, say only one in a" "Miniscule, say only one in a" "Miniscule, say only one in a million, if we run the odds over" "Million, if we run the odds over" "Million, if we run the odds over 1 00,000 years, the chance falls 1 00,000 years, the chance falls" "1 00,000 years, the chance falls to one in 10." "To one in 10." "To one in 10." "Personally I worry that even" "Personally I worry that even" "Personally I worry that even this might be overoptimistic." "This might be overoptimistic." "This might be overoptimistic." "Although we are clever enough to" "Although we are clever enough to" "Although we are clever enough to have designed such weapons, I'm" "Have designed such weapons, I'm" "Have designed such weapons, I'm not sure we are clever enough" "Not sure we are clever enough" "Not sure we are clever enough not to use them." "Not to use them." "Not to use them." "As time marches relentlessly" "As time marches relentlessly" "As time marches relentlessly into the future, the universe" "Into the future, the universe" "Into the future, the universe has other surprises in store." "Has other surprises in store." "Has other surprises in store." "There powerful things out there." "There powerful things out there." "There powerful things out there." "astheuniversecontinuesto astheuniversecontinuesto astheuniversecontinuesto dance to its ancient rhythm," "Dance to its ancient rhythm," "Dance to its ancient rhythm, stars will come and go in a" "Stars will come and go in a" "Stars will come and go in a relentless cycle and because" "Relentless cycle and because" "Relentless cycle and because there hundreds of billions of" "There hundreds of billions of" "There hundreds of billions of stars, there is always one dying" "Stars, there is always one dying" "Stars, there is always one dying in the super nova somewhere." "In the super nova somewhere." "In the super nova somewhere." "In our galaxy for instance, a" "In our galaxy for instance, a" "In our galaxy for instance, a star dies every 50 years or so." "Star dies every 50 years or so." "Star dies every 50 years or so." "Which is but the briefest of" "Which is but the briefest of" "Which is but the briefest of moments to the universe." "Moments to the universe." "Moments to the universe." "It's just about conceivable that" "It's just about conceivable that" "It's just about conceivable that a super nova could damage the" "A super nova could damage the" "A super nova could damage the earth." "Earth." "Earth." "If you consider the likelihood" "If you consider the likelihood" "If you consider the likelihood over a long enough time scale." "Over a long enough time scale." "Over a long enough time scale." "One kind of super nova" "One kind of super nova" "One kind of super nova discovered in time by accident" "Discovered in time by accident" "Discovered in time by accident is thought to be particularly" "Is thought to be particularly" "Is thought to be particularly dangerous." "Dangerous." "Dangerous." "In 1967 when the cold war was at" "In 1967 when the cold war was at" "In 1967 when the cold war was at its height, u.S. Military" "Its height, u.S. Military" "Its height, u.S. Military satellites picked up a massive" "Satellites picked up a massive" "Satellites picked up a massive burst of something called gamma" "Burst of something called gamma" "Burst of something called gamma radiation." "Radiation." "Radiation." "Gamma radiation is the most" "Gamma radiation is the most" "Gamma radiation is the most dangerous type of radiation" "Dangerous type of radiation" "Dangerous type of radiation known." "Known." "Known." "It's also the tell tale sign of" "It's also the tell tale sign of" "It's also the tell tale sign of an atomic weapon." "An atomic weapon." "An atomic weapon." "Whether the gamma rays detected" "Whether the gamma rays detected" "Whether the gamma rays detected evidence of a new and powerful" "Evidence of a new and powerful" "Evidence of a new and powerful soviet bomb, thankfully the" "Soviet bomb, thankfully the" "Soviet bomb, thankfully the answer was no." "Answer was no." "Answer was no." "After careful analysis of the" "After careful analysis of the" "After careful analysis of the data, they discovered that the" "Data, they discovered that the" "Data, they discovered that the sudden bursts of gamma rays were" "Sudden bursts of gamma rays were" "Sudden bursts of gamma rays were actually coming from space." "Actually coming from space." "Actually coming from space." "Not even the russians had that" "Not even the russians had that" "Not even the russians had that kind of technology." "Kind of technology." "Kind of technology." "Decades later, we still don't" "Decades later, we still don't" "Decades later, we still don't have proof of what causes the" "Have proof of what causes the" "Have proof of what causes the bursts of radiation." "Bursts of radiation." "Bursts of radiation." "But there is a well-respected" "But there is a well-respected" "But there is a well-respected theory that they are produced by" "Theory that they are produced by" "Theory that they are produced by a special kind of super nova." "A special kind of super nova." "A special kind of super nova." "Called a gamma ray burst." "Called a gamma ray burst." "Called a gamma ray burst." "What's more, there might be one" "What's more, there might be one" "What's more, there might be one quite nearby." "Quite nearby." "Quite nearby." "Hidden within this massive" "Hidden within this massive" "Hidden within this massive spiral plume of plasma, 8,000" "Spiral plume of plasma, 8,000" "Spiral plume of plasma, 8,000 light years from earth is a star" "Light years from earth is a star" "Light years from earth is a star called wr 104." "Called wr 104." "Called wr 104." "Deep inside the star itself is a" "Deep inside the star itself is a" "Deep inside the star itself is a bright sphere." "Bright sphere." "Bright sphere." "Throwing off a shell of hot gas" "Throwing off a shell of hot gas" "Throwing off a shell of hot gas as it nears its end." "As it nears its end." "As it nears its end." "If this star is what we think it" "If this star is what we think it" "If this star is what we think it is, as it dies it will produce" "Is, as it dies it will produce" "Is, as it dies it will produce two tightly focused beams of" "Two tightly focused beams of" "Two tightly focused beams of radiation, one from each pole." "Radiation, one from each pole." "Radiation, one from each pole." "The star destroys itself as it" "The star destroys itself as it" "The star destroys itself as it produces these beams which" "Produces these beams which" "Produces these beams which contain more energy than our sun" "Contain more energy than our sun" "Contain more energy than our sun will produce in its entire life." "Will produce in its entire life." "Will produce in its entire life." "The brightest known phenomena in" "The brightest known phenomena in" "The brightest known phenomena in the entire universe." "The entire universe." "The entire universe." "No one is sure if wr 104 doll" "No one is sure if wr 104 doll" "No one is sure if wr 104 doll this or if the beam would strike" "This or if the beam would strike" "This or if the beam would strike the earth, but if so, we could" "The earth, but if so, we could" "The earth, but if so, we could be bathed in high intensity" "Be bathed in high intensity" "Be bathed in high intensity radiation." "Radiation." "Radiation." "With devastating consequences." "With devastating consequences." "With devastating consequences." "The beam would cause spectacular" "The beam would cause spectacular" "The beam would cause spectacular auroras, striking the ozone from" "Auroras, striking the ozone from" "Auroras, striking the ozone from the atmosphere, allowing deadly" "The atmosphere, allowing deadly" "The atmosphere, allowing deadly radiation from the sun to strike" "Radiation from the sun to strike" "Radiation from the sun to strike the earth." "The earth." "The earth." "It may sound like science" "It may sound like science" "It may sound like science fiction, but this could be the" "Fiction, but this could be the" "Fiction, but this could be the second time skies like these" "Second time skies like these" "Second time skies like these have been seen from our world." "Have been seen from our world." "Have been seen from our world." "450 million years ago, over half 450 million years ago, over half 450 million years ago, over half of all living creatures were" "Of all living creatures were" "Of all living creatures were wiped out in a great extinction." "Wiped out in a great extinction." "Wiped out in a great extinction." "One explanation is that a gamma" "One explanation is that a gamma" "One explanation is that a gamma ray burster irradiated the" "Ray burster irradiated the" "Ray burster irradiated the planet so badly that earth's" "Planet so badly that earth's" "Planet so badly that earth's ecosystem virtually collapsed." "Ecosystem virtually collapsed." "Ecosystem virtually collapsed." "I don't want to worry anyone," "I don't want to worry anyone," "I don't want to worry anyone, but I think it's definitely a" "But I think it's definitely a" "But I think it's definitely a good idea for the human race to" "Good idea for the human race to" "Good idea for the human race to venture far beyond the earth." "Venture far beyond the earth." "Venture far beyond the earth." "We would be wise to keep our" "We would be wise to keep our" "We would be wise to keep our eggs in an many baskets as" "Eggs in an many baskets as" "Eggs in an many baskets as possible." "Possible." "Possible." "Thankfully that process has" "Thankfully that process has" "Thankfully that process has already begun." "Already begun." "Already begun." "In my opinion the launch of" "In my opinion the launch of" "In my opinion the launch of apollo 11 is probably the most" "Apollo 11 is probably the most" "Apollo 11 is probably the most important moment in human" "Important moment in human" "Important moment in human history." "History." "History." "It was a part for the universe" "It was a part for the universe" "It was a part for the universe too." "Too." "Too." "Life in the form of us escaped" "Life in the form of us escaped" "Life in the form of us escaped its home planet." "Its home planet." "Its home planet." "And stepped on another surface." "And stepped on another surface." "And stepped on another surface." "The astronaut footprints stand" "The astronaut footprints stand" "The astronaut footprints stand preserved to this day." "Preserved to this day." "Preserved to this day." "A testament to the beginning of" "A testament to the beginning of" "A testament to the beginning of what I think could be the next" "What I think could be the next" "What I think could be the next chapter in the story of the" "Chapter in the story of the" "Chapter in the story of the cosmos." "Cosmos." "Cosmos." "perastheuniversegets  perastheuniversegets  perastheuniversegets  older, we will have to get" "Older, we will have to get" "Older, we will have to get wiser." "Wiser." "Wiser." "I think we will have to go much" "I think we will have to go much" "I think we will have to go much further than the moon." "Further than the moon." "Further than the moon." "At the very least to mars." "At the very least to mars." "At the very least to mars." "The red planet is likely to play" "The red planet is likely to play" "The red planet is likely to play an important part in our" "An important part in our" "An important part in our evolution." "Evolution." "Evolution." "Maybe even in the story of the" "Maybe even in the story of the" "Maybe even in the story of the cosmos." "Cosmos." "Cosmos." "It's the second and possibly the" "It's the second and possibly the" "It's the second and possibly the most important steppingstone on" "Most important steppingstone on" "Most important steppingstone on humanity's journey to the stars." "Humanity's journey to the stars." "Humanity's journey to the stars." "Robot missions to mars have" "Robot missions to mars have" "Robot missions to mars have revealed a spectacularly" "Revealed a spectacularly" "Revealed a spectacularly beautiful yet dangerous and" "Beautiful yet dangerous and" "Beautiful yet dangerous and desolate place." "Desolate place." "Desolate place." "I imagine that being a human" "I imagine that being a human" "I imagine that being a human pioneer here would be an" "Pioneer here would be an" "Pioneer here would be an exciting business." "Exciting business." "Exciting business." "For a start, it's cold." "For a start, it's cold." "For a start, it's cold." "It's 50 million miles further" "It's 50 million miles further" "It's 50 million miles further from the sun than the earth and" "From the sun than the earth and" "From the sun than the earth and so it receives half as much" "So it receives half as much" "So it receives half as much warmth and the temperatures" "Warmth and the temperatures" "Warmth and the temperatures fluctuate wildly." "Fluctuate wildly." "Fluctuate wildly." "From 80 degrees to minus 200 in" "From 80 degrees to minus 200 in" "From 80 degrees to minus 200 in a matter of minutes." "A matter of minutes." "A matter of minutes." "If the cold doesn't get you, the" "If the cold doesn't get you, the" "If the cold doesn't get you, the low gravity will." "Low gravity will." "Low gravity will." "Mars is just half the size of" "Mars is just half the size of" "Mars is just half the size of the earth and has just 38% of" "The earth and has just 38% of" "The earth and has just 38% of its gravity." "Its gravity." "Its gravity." "Overtime, explorers's bones" "Overtime, explorers's bones" "Overtime, explorers's bones would weaken and muscles would" "Would weaken and muscles would" "Would weaken and muscles would waste away." "Waste away." "Waste away." "Spent long enough on mars, and" "Spent long enough on mars, and" "Spent long enough on mars, and you could find yourself too weak" "You could find yourself too weak" "You could find yourself too weak to" "To" "To to safely return to earth." "To safely return to earth." "To safely return to earth." "The low gravity also means mars" "The low gravity also means mars" "The low gravity also means mars struggles to hold on to an" "Struggles to hold on to an" "Struggles to hold on to an atmosphere." "Atmosphere." "Atmosphere." "Here there is nothing more than" "Here there is nothing more than" "Here there is nothing more than a thin wisp of carbon dioxide at" "A thin wisp of carbon dioxide at" "A thin wisp of carbon dioxide at just 100th the pressure of our" "Just 100th the pressure of our" "Just 100th the pressure of our air." "Air." "Air." "Mars is also bathed in harmful" "Mars is also bathed in harmful" "Mars is also bathed in harmful radiation from the sun, even" "Radiation from the sun, even" "Radiation from the sun, even though it's further away, unlike" "Though it's further away, unlike" "Though it's further away, unlike earth it has no magnetic field" "Earth it has no magnetic field" "Earth it has no magnetic field and no ozone layer to protect" "And no ozone layer to protect" "And no ozone layer to protect it." "It." "It." "Early explorers would have to be" "Early explorers would have to be" "Early explorers would have to be careful to minimize their" "Careful to minimize their" "Careful to minimize their exposure and perhaps they would" "Exposure and perhaps they would" "Exposure and perhaps they would have to live underground." "Have to live underground." "Have to live underground." "But one day, I think it will be" "But one day, I think it will be" "But one day, I think it will be possible to drastically alter" "Possible to drastically alter" "Possible to drastically alter conditions on mars, perhaps" "Conditions on mars, perhaps" "Conditions on mars, perhaps using space-bourne mirrors to" "Using space-bourne mirrors to" "Using space-bourne mirrors to supply warmth and power." "Supply warmth and power." "Supply warmth and power." "With perfectly foreseeable" "With perfectly foreseeable" "With perfectly foreseeable technology, much more could be" "Technology, much more could be" "Technology, much more could be possible." "Possible." "Possible." "If we could erect giant domes" "If we could erect giant domes" "If we could erect giant domes made of plastic to block out the" "Made of plastic to block out the" "Made of plastic to block out the radiation, inside them we could" "Radiation, inside them we could" "Radiation, inside them we could enrich the atmosphere." "Enrich the atmosphere." "Enrich the atmosphere." "500 years from now which really 500 years from now which really 500 years from now which really is say short time indeed, I" "Is say short time indeed, I" "Is say short time indeed, I think marsville its own" "Think marsville its own" "Think marsville its own language, its own currency, it's" "Language, its own currency, it's" "Language, its own currency, it's own cuisine." "Own cuisine." "Own cuisine." "I bet you will still be able to" "I bet you will still be able to" "I bet you will still be able to get a hamburger somewhere." "Get a hamburger somewhere." "Get a hamburger somewhere." "As the universe continues to" "As the universe continues to" "As the universe continues to age, even this will not" "Age, even this will not" "Age, even this will not guarantee humanity's existence" "Guarantee humanity's existence" "Guarantee humanity's existence for a very long time." "For a very long time." "For a very long time." "Look further into the future and" "Look further into the future and" "Look further into the future and ultimately our solar system will" "Ultimately our solar system will" "Ultimately our solar system will follow the same path as" "Follow the same path as" "Follow the same path as countless billions of solar" "Countless billions of solar" "Countless billions of solar systems before it and cease to" "Systems before it and cease to" "Systems before it and cease to exist." "Exist." "Exist." "Right now the sun is in the" "Right now the sun is in the" "Right now the sun is in the middle of its life cycle." "Middle of its life cycle." "Middle of its life cycle." "During this phase, it is getting" "During this phase, it is getting" "During this phase, it is getting gradually hotter and brighter" "Gradually hotter and brighter" "Gradually hotter and brighter all the time by about 6% every" "All the time by about 6% every" "All the time by about 6% every billion years." "Billion years." "Billion years." "In about five billion years, the" "In about five billion years, the" "In about five billion years, the sun's temperature will have" "Sun's temperature will have" "Sun's temperature will have grown to nearly 200 billion" "Grown to nearly 200 billion" "Grown to nearly 200 billion degrees." "Degrees." "Degrees." "At this point the earth will be" "At this point the earth will be" "At this point the earth will be an unrecognizable ball of molten" "An unrecognizable ball of molten" "An unrecognizable ball of molten rock." "Rock." "Rock." "All life having long since" "All life having long since" "All life having long since perished." "Perished." "Perished." "This is our planet's unavoidable" "This is our planet's unavoidable" "This is our planet's unavoidable destiny." "Destiny." "Destiny." "That's not all the sun has in" "That's not all the sun has in" "That's not all the sun has in store." "Store." "Store." "As it runs out of fuel, the sun" "As it runs out of fuel, the sun" "As it runs out of fuel, the sun will start to expand, turning" "Will start to expand, turning" "Will start to expand, turning into what's called a red giant." "Into what's called a red giant." "Into what's called a red giant." "It will change from being the" "It will change from being the" "It will change from being the object that gave us life to the" "Object that gave us life to the" "Object that gave us life to the one that annihilates it." "One that annihilates it." "One that annihilates it." "In about seven billion years," "In about seven billion years," "In about seven billion years, the sun will be 200 times" "The sun will be 200 times" "The sun will be 200 times bigger, about 200 million miles" "Bigger, about 200 million miles" "Bigger, about 200 million miles across." "Across." "Across." "So vast it will obliterate the" "So vast it will obliterate the" "So vast it will obliterate the inner planets, one after the" "Inner planets, one after the" "Inner planets, one after the other." "Other." "Other." "Mercury, venus, and most" "Mercury, venus, and most" "Mercury, venus, and most probably the lifeless earth." "Probably the lifeless earth." "Probably the lifeless earth." "But as the universe continues to" "But as the universe continues to" "But as the universe continues to evolve at its own relentless" "Evolve at its own relentless" "Evolve at its own relentless pace, new opportunities will" "Pace, new opportunities will" "Pace, new opportunities will present themselves to us if we" "Present themselves to us if we" "Present themselves to us if we are able to preserve the that" "Are able to preserve the that" "Are able to preserve the that the cosmos made." "The cosmos made." "The cosmos made." "This is grease on, 581 d." "This is grease on, 581 d." "This is grease on, 581 d." "A large rocky, earth-like" "A large rocky, earth-like" "A large rocky, earth-like planet, the nearest known." "Planet, the nearest known." "Planet, the nearest known." "It's possible that this world or" "It's possible that this world or" "It's possible that this world or one like it could in the future" "One like it could in the future" "One like it could in the future become home to the human race." "Become home to the human race." "Become home to the human race." "A second against the unforgiving" "A second against the unforgiving" "A second against the unforgiving blackness of space." "Blackness of space." "Blackness of space." "Discovered in 2007, it is seven" "Discovered in 2007, it is seven" "Discovered in 2007, it is seven times bigger than earth." "Times bigger than earth." "Times bigger than earth." "It orbits a star smaller and" "It orbits a star smaller and" "It orbits a star smaller and redder than our own, but lies at" "Redder than our own, but lies at" "Redder than our own, but lies at just the right distance from its" "Just the right distance from its" "Just the right distance from its sun to allow water to exist on" "Sun to allow water to exist on" "Sun to allow water to exist on the surface." "The surface." "The surface." "Even if this is the perfect home" "Even if this is the perfect home" "Even if this is the perfect home away from home, there is a" "Away from home, there is a" "Away from home, there is a fundamental problem we will have" "Fundamental problem we will have" "Fundamental problem we will have to overcome." "To overcome." "To overcome." "It's a very, very long way" "It's a very, very long way" "It's a very, very long way away." "Away." "Away." "More than 20 light years from" "More than 20 light years from" "More than 20 light years from earth." "Earth." "Earth." "That's 120 trillion miles." "That's 120 trillion miles." "That's 120 trillion miles." "To get some idea of this" "To get some idea of this" "To get some idea of this extraordinary distance which the" "Extraordinary distance which the" "Extraordinary distance which the challenge it presents, I'm going" "Challenge it presents, I'm going" "Challenge it presents, I'm going to imagine that we could hitch a" "To imagine that we could hitch a" "To imagine that we could hitch a ride on the fastest man-made" "Ride on the fastest man-made" "Ride on the fastest man-made object in existence." "Object in existence." "Object in existence." "Voyager one was launched in" "Voyager one was launched in" "Voyager one was launched in 1977." "1977." "1977." "Now over 30 years old, it's" "Now over 30 years old, it's" "Now over 30 years old, it's traveled more than then billion" "Traveled more than then billion" "Traveled more than then billion miles." "Miles." "Miles." "The mission has taken it to" "The mission has taken it to" "The mission has taken it to jupiter and saturn." "Jupiter and saturn." "Jupiter and saturn." "By using the gravity to boost" "By using the gravity to boost" "By using the gravity to boost speed, the little spacecraft" "Speed, the little spacecraft" "Speed, the little spacecraft entered the record books." "Entered the record books." "Entered the record books." "It might not look fast, but" "It might not look fast, but" "It might not look fast, but voyager is racing through space" "Voyager is racing through space" "Voyager is racing through space at 11 miles a second." "At 11 miles a second." "At 11 miles a second." "On earth it looks like this." "On earth it looks like this." "On earth it looks like this." "It's 39,000 miles an hour." "It's 39,000 miles an hour." "It's 39,000 miles an hour." "At this speed, we could circle" "At this speed, we could circle" "At this speed, we could circle the globe 1 1/2 times in an" "The globe 1 1/2 times in an" "The globe 1 1/2 times in an hour." "Hour." "Hour." "How long would it take a" "How long would it take a" "How long would it take a spaceship traveling at voyager's" "Spaceship traveling at voyager's" "Spaceship traveling at voyager's speed to get to the nearest" "Speed to get to the nearest" "Speed to get to the nearest earth-like planet?" "Earth-like planet?" "Earth-like planet?" "The answer reveals the true" "The answer reveals the true" "The answer reveals the true scale of the cosmos." "Scale of the cosmos." "Scale of the cosmos." "For even traveling at 11 miles a" "For even traveling at 11 miles a" "For even traveling at 11 miles a second, the journey would still" "Second, the journey would still" "Second, the journey would still take over 350,000 years." "Take over 350,000 years." "Take over 350,000 years." "I think we have a chance to" "I think we have a chance to" "I think we have a chance to become a lasting part of the" "Become a lasting part of the" "Become a lasting part of the ever-changing universe and to" "Ever-changing universe and to" "Ever-changing universe and to discover what other wonders it" "Discover what other wonders it" "Discover what other wonders it might hold, but to do this, we" "Might hold, but to do this, we" "Might hold, but to do this, we will have to develop new" "Will have to develop new" "Will have to develop new technology on an enormous scale." "Technology on an enormous scale." "Technology on an enormous scale." "That's going to take some" "That's going to take some" "That's going to take some serious engineering." "Serious engineering." "Serious engineering." "theremanyin thefieldof theremanyin thefieldof theremanyin thefieldof cosmology who believe as I do," "Cosmology who believe as I do," "Cosmology who believe as I do, that finding ways to travel" "That finding ways to travel" "That finding ways to travel great distances will be" "Great distances will be" "Great distances will be essential to keeping human life" "Essential to keeping human life" "Essential to keeping human life amazing in the universe." "Amazing in the universe." "Amazing in the universe." "ifwecouldbuildamachine ifwecouldbuildamachine ifwecouldbuildamachine capable of traveling to other" "Capable of traveling to other" "Capable of traveling to other solar systems, we would open up" "Solar systems, we would open up" "Solar systems, we would open up a fascinating possibility." "A fascinating possibility." "A fascinating possibility." "The survival of the human race." "The survival of the human race." "The survival of the human race." "For billions of years." "For billions of years." "For billions of years." "Present day engineers have begun" "Present day engineers have begun" "Present day engineers have begun thinking of the principals of" "Thinking of the principals of" "Thinking of the principals of building such a ship." "Building such a ship." "Building such a ship." "This is what it might look like." "This is what it might look like." "This is what it might look like." "It could use atomic energy or" "It could use atomic energy or" "It could use atomic energy or kpot exotic fuel supplying it" "Kpot exotic fuel supplying it" "Kpot exotic fuel supplying it with enormous amounts of power," "With enormous amounts of power," "With enormous amounts of power, yet I think the main challenges" "Yet I think the main challenges" "Yet I think the main challenges won't be technical." "Won't be technical." "Won't be technical." "The first will be financial.Enoi" "The first will be financial.Enoi" "The first will be financial.Enoi think the main challenges won't" "Think the main challenges won't" "Think the main challenges won't be technical." "Be technical." "Be technical." "The first will be financial." "The first will be financial." "The first will be financial." "The cost of constructing the" "The cost of constructing the" "The cost of constructing the spacecraft would be huge and for" "Spacecraft would be huge and for" "Spacecraft would be huge and for the society that made it, there" "The society that made it, there" "The society that made it, there would be little pay back." "Would be little pay back." "Would be little pay back." "They would never see it again." "So constructing such a machine" "So constructing such a machine" "So constructing such a machine will either be the greatest act" "Will either be the greatest act" "Will either be the greatest act of generosity of history or will" "Of generosity of history or will" "Of generosity of history or will have to be funded by the" "Have to be funded by the" "Have to be funded by the travelers themselves." "Travelers themselves." "Travelers themselves." "And that raises the second" "And that raises the second" "And that raises the second problem." "Problem." "Problem." "Even if it could travel mind" "Even if it could travel mind" "Even if it could travel mind numbingly fast, say 1,000 times" "Numbingly fast, say 1,000 times" "Numbingly fast, say 1,000 times faster than voyager, 11,000" "Faster than voyager, 11,000" "Faster than voyager, 11,000 miles a second, a journey to the" "Miles a second, a journey to the" "Miles a second, a journey to the nearest star system would still" "Nearest star system would still" "Nearest star system would still take 73 years." "Such a long trip means that at" "Such a long trip means that at" "Such a long trip means that at least one whole generation of" "Least one whole generation of" "Least one whole generation of humans would have to live their" "Humans would have to live their" "Humans would have to live their entire lives in space." "Entire lives in space." "Entire lives in space." "We couldn't exactly say they" "We couldn't exactly say they" "We couldn't exactly say they volunteered for the mission." "Volunteered for the mission." "Volunteered for the mission." "The ethics of sending a human" "The ethics of sending a human" "The ethics of sending a human cargo on such a voyage would" "Cargo on such a voyage would" "Cargo on such a voyage would have to be carefully considered." "Have to be carefully considered." "Have to be carefully considered." "Unless we could extend human" "Unless we could extend human" "Unless we could extend human lifespans to long enough to make" "Lifespans to long enough to make" "Lifespans to long enough to make such massive journeys." "Such massive journeys." "Such massive journeys." "And that I think is what we will" "And that I think is what we will" "And that I think is what we will ultimately end up doing." "Ultimately end up doing." "Ultimately end up doing." "The process has already begun as" "The process has already begun as" "The process has already begun as I know from personal experience." "I know from personal experience." "I know from personal experience." "My muscles no longer function," "My muscles no longer function," "My muscles no longer function, although my eyes and my brain" "Although my eyes and my brain" "Although my eyes and my brain are still working pretty well." "Are still working pretty well." "Are still working pretty well." "But technology helps me in move" "But technology helps me in move" "But technology helps me in move and communicate." "And communicate." "And communicate." "In the future, technology will" "In the future, technology will" "In the future, technology will do much more than that for all" "Do much more than that for all" "Do much more than that for all of us." "Of us." "Of us." "withinthenext1,000years, withinthenext1,000years, withinthenext1,000years, we will see unprecedented" "We will see unprecedented" "We will see unprecedented changes in our physical" "Changes in our physical" "Changes in our physical capabilities." "Capabilities." "Capabilities." "Genetic engineering will give us" "Genetic engineering will give us" "Genetic engineering will give us longer lifespans and greater" "Longer lifespans and greater" "Longer lifespans and greater intelligence." "Intelligence." "Intelligence." "Modifying our genes could give" "Modifying our genes could give" "Modifying our genes could give us skin that protects us from" "Us skin that protects us from" "Us skin that protects us from radiation, the ability to" "Radiation, the ability to" "Radiation, the ability to breathe poisonous atmospheres," "Breathe poisonous atmospheres," "Breathe poisonous atmospheres, resistance to infection." "Resistance to infection." "Resistance to infection." "We may even develop" "We may even develop" "We may even develop sophisticated artificial life" "Sophisticated artificial life" "Sophisticated artificial life force, using synthetic dna," "Force, using synthetic dna," "Force, using synthetic dna, custom designed for the" "Custom designed for the" "Custom designed for the challenges of space travel." "Challenges of space travel." "Challenges of space travel." "These advances would allow us to" "These advances would allow us to" "These advances would allow us to survive long journeys and" "Survive long journeys and" "Survive long journeys and inhospitable worlds." "Inhospitable worlds." "Inhospitable worlds." "I imagine a time when our" "I imagine a time when our" "I imagine a time when our descendents spread to planets" "Descendents spread to planets" "Descendents spread to planets orbiting other stars all over" "Orbiting other stars all over" "Orbiting other stars all over the galaxy." "The galaxy." "The galaxy." "And perhaps further still," "And perhaps further still," "And perhaps further still, carrying their biological cargo" "Carrying their biological cargo" "Carrying their biological cargo to solar systems we have yet to" "To solar systems we have yet to" "To solar systems we have yet to discover." "Discover." "Discover." "Ships like this one could be" "Ships like this one could be" "Ships like this one could be designed to split up and spread" "Designed to split up and spread" "Designed to split up and spread out." "Out." "Out." "It would have started with us." "It would have started with us." "It would have started with us." "As we journey across" "As we journey across" "As we journey across interstellar space, I'm sure we" "Interstellar space, I'm sure we" "Interstellar space, I'm sure we will unlock nature's deepest" "Will unlock nature's deepest" "Will unlock nature's deepest secrets." "Secrets." "Secrets." "My greater is that we will" "My greater is that we will" "My greater is that we will discover how the universe will" "Discover how the universe will" "Discover how the universe will end and solve the ultimate" "End and solve the ultimate" "End and solve the ultimate myst" "Myst" "Myst Ioncegavealecturein" "Ioncegavealecturein" "Ioncegavealecturein japan where I was asked not to" "Japan where I was asked not to" "Japan where I was asked not to mention the end of the universe" "Mention the end of the universe" "Mention the end of the universe in case it affected the japanese" "In case it affected the japanese" "In case it affected the japanese stock market." "Stock market." "Stock market." "I don't know if or when the" "I don't know if or when the" "I don't know if or when the universe will end, but for those" "Universe will end, but for those" "Universe will end, but for those of you who are nervous about" "Of you who are nervous about" "Of you who are nervous about your investments, I think it's a" "Your investments, I think it's a" "Your investments, I think it's a bit early to sell." "Bit early to sell." "Bit early to sell." "At 13.7 billion years old, our" "At 13.7 billion years old, our" "At 13.7 billion years old, our universe is still in its youth." "Universe is still in its youth." "Universe is still in its youth." "The earliest date we" "The earliest date we" "The earliest date we cosmologists think it could end" "Cosmologists think it could end" "Cosmologists think it could end is 30 billion years from now." "Is 30 billion years from now." "Is 30 billion years from now." "There is still plenty of action" "There is still plenty of action" "There is still plenty of action to come." "To come." "To come." "Even long after our sun has" "Even long after our sun has" "Even long after our sun has died, new stars will be born," "Died, new stars will be born," "Died, new stars will be born, some of which will have new" "Some of which will have new" "Some of which will have new planets, made of the same atoms" "Planets, made of the same atoms" "Planets, made of the same atoms that make you and me." "That make you and me." "That make you and me." "Maybe we will end up as part of" "Maybe we will end up as part of" "Maybe we will end up as part of a future alien ecosystem," "A future alien ecosystem," "A future alien ecosystem, although that's probably a bit" "Although that's probably a bit" "Although that's probably a bit of a long shot." "Of a long shot." "Of a long shot." "What's true is that we are only" "What's true is that we are only" "What's true is that we are only the temporary custodians of the" "The temporary custodians of the" "The temporary custodians of the particles of what which we are" "Particles of what which we are" "Particles of what which we are made of." "Made of." "Made of." "They will need a future" "They will need a future" "They will need a future existence in the enormous" "Existence in the enormous" "Existence in the enormous universe that made them." "Universe that made them." "Universe that made them." "Several gravity will continue" "Several gravity will continue" "Several gravity will continue its tireless incessant work." "Its tireless incessant work." "Its tireless incessant work." "It will go on shaping the vast" "It will go on shaping the vast" "It will go on shaping the vast strings of galaxies as it has" "Strings of galaxies as it has" "Strings of galaxies as it has since the dig bang." "Since the dig bang." "Since the dig bang." "It forces galaxies to be" "It forces galaxies to be" "It forces galaxies to be attracted, resulting in vast" "Attracted, resulting in vast" "Attracted, resulting in vast slow collisions." "Slow collisions." "Slow collisions." "Our galaxy will emerge in about" "Our galaxy will emerge in about" "Our galaxy will emerge in about three billion years." "Three billion years." "Three billion years." "A slow motion collision that" "A slow motion collision that" "A slow motion collision that will take place over two billion" "Will take place over two billion" "Will take place over two billion years." "Years." "Years." "This is happening all over the" "This is happening all over the" "This is happening all over the cosmos." "Cosmos." "Cosmos." "Clusters are constantly" "Clusters are constantly" "Clusters are constantly colliding and reforming." "Colliding and reforming." "Colliding and reforming." "Giant collisions as trillions of" "Giant collisions as trillions of" "Giant collisions as trillions of stars pull on one another, their" "Stars pull on one another, their" "Stars pull on one another, their vast masses causing them to spin" "Vast masses causing them to spin" "Vast masses causing them to spin and dance." "And dance." "And dance." "Gravity is driving the moss mick" "Gravity is driving the moss mick" "Gravity is driving the moss mick clock work as it has ever since" "Clock work as it has ever since" "Clock work as it has ever since the big bang." "The big bang." "The big bang." "This is what the universe looks" "This is what the universe looks" "This is what the universe looks like when we are released from" "Like when we are released from" "Like when we are released from time on a human scale." "Time on a human scale." "Time on a human scale." "But will this cosmic world go on" "But will this cosmic world go on" "But will this cosmic world go on forever?" "Forever?" "Forever?" "As an endless storm of mass and" "As an endless storm of mass and" "As an endless storm of mass and energy, space and time?" "Energy, space and time?" "Energy, space and time?" "What an extraordinary question" "What an extraordinary question" "What an extraordinary question to even be able to ask." "To even be able to ask." "To even be able to ask." "I think the solution lies back" "I think the solution lies back" "I think the solution lies back where we began." "Where we began." "Where we began." "With the big bang." "With the big bang." "With the big bang." "Ask yourself this." "Ask yourself this." "Ask yourself this." "What caused the inflation or" "What caused the inflation or" "What caused the inflation or expansion of the universe in the" "Expansion of the universe in the" "Expansion of the universe in the first place?" "First place?" "First place?" "When we can answer that and" "When we can answer that and" "When we can answer that and fully understand the big bang," "Fully understand the big bang," "Fully understand the big bang, we will also learn the fate of" "We will also learn the fate of" "We will also learn the fate of the universe." "The universe." "The universe." "The key to it all is something" "The key to it all is something" "The key to it all is something called dark energy." "Called dark energy." "Called dark energy." "A mysterious form of energy that" "A mysterious form of energy that" "A mysterious form of energy that pushes space itself apart, even" "Pushes space itself apart, even" "Pushes space itself apart, even as gravity is making matter" "As gravity is making matter" "As gravity is making matter clump together." "Clump together." "Clump together." "It seems as if dark energy" "It seems as if dark energy" "It seems as if dark energy supplied the kick that inflated" "Supplied the kick that inflated" "Supplied the kick that inflated the universe, although we are" "The universe, although we are" "The universe, although we are not quite sure how." "Not quite sure how." "Not quite sure how." "What is certain is that the fate" "What is certain is that the fate" "What is certain is that the fate of the universe depends on how" "Of the universe depends on how" "Of the universe depends on how this dark energy behaves." "This dark energy behaves." "This dark energy behaves." "If the dark energy slowly" "If the dark energy slowly" "If the dark energy slowly weakens, then gravity could get" "Weakens, then gravity could get" "Weakens, then gravity could get the upper hand and in 20 billion" "The upper hand and in 20 billion" "The upper hand and in 20 billion years or so, the universe goes" "Years or so, the universe goes" "Years or so, the universe goes into reverse and drive" "Into reverse and drive" "Into reverse and drive everything back to where it" "Everything back to where it" "Everything back to where it came." "Came." "Came." "In a strange reversal of the big" "In a strange reversal of the big" "In a strange reversal of the big bang, space itself would" "Bang, space itself would" "Bang, space itself would contract." "Contract." "Contract." "This theory is known as the big" "This theory is known as the big" "This theory is known as the big crunch." "Crunch." "Crunch." "In the end, if the theory is" "In the end, if the theory is" "In the end, if the theory is right, in 30 billion years from" "Right, in 30 billion years from" "Right, in 30 billion years from now, all the matter of the" "Now, all the matter of the" "Now, all the matter of the universe would be swallowed by a" "Universe would be swallowed by a" "Universe would be swallowed by a single black hole." "Single black hole." "Single black hole." "The entire universe would exist" "The entire universe would exist" "The entire universe would exist as one tiny point, much as it" "As one tiny point, much as it" "As one tiny point, much as it was at the instant of the big" "Was at the instant of the big" "Was at the instant of the big bang." "Bang." "Bang." "But although that's a neat" "But although that's a neat" "But although that's a neat ending, I think it's more likely" "Ending, I think it's more likely" "Ending, I think it's more likely that dark energy will drive the" "That dark energy will drive the" "That dark energy will drive the expansion of the universe" "Expansion of the universe" "Expansion of the universe forever." "Forever." "Forever." "And ultimately everything will" "And ultimately everything will" "And ultimately everything will just keep spreading out until" "Just keep spreading out until" "Just keep spreading out until the universe is cold and dark." "The universe is cold and dark." "The universe is cold and dark." "Everything will become so far" "Everything will become so far" "Everything will become so far apart that even gravity will be" "Apart that even gravity will be" "Apart that even gravity will be defeated." "Defeated." "Defeated." "I think a big chill is what we" "I think a big chill is what we" "I think a big chill is what we have got in store, not a big" "Have got in store, not a big" "Have got in store, not a big crunch." "Crunch." "Crunch." "So will this be the end of life" "So will this be the end of life" "So will this be the end of life as we know it?" "As we know it?" "As we know it?" "Or will we have figured out how" "Or will we have figured out how" "Or will we have figured out how to navigate through a new" "To navigate through a new" "To navigate through a new universe before then?" "Universe before then?" "Universe before then?" "I think we will only know when" "I think we will only know when" "I think we will only know when we truly understand why the" "We truly understand why the" "We truly understand why the universe exists at all." "Universe exists at all." "Universe exists at all." "Perhaps then when we finally" "Perhaps then when we finally" "Perhaps then when we finally unravel the whole cosmic puzzle," "Unravel the whole cosmic puzzle," "Unravel the whole cosmic puzzle, we will become masters, not just" "We will become masters, not just" "We will become masters, not just of the universe, but the" "Of the universe, but the" "Of the universe, but the universe next door."