Earlier this year, we got to witness the incredible launch and return of Artemis II, a NASA mission meant to lay the groundwork for a future lunar landing. Among the many accomplishments of the Artemis II mission, the crew successfully gathered real-time observations of the Moon that will contribute to our increased understanding of the cosmos. If you were inspired the same way we were, we thought it would be an opportune time to re-share an episode we recorded with astrophysicist Risa Wechsler on the future of the universe. We hope you’ll take another listen and that this episode will help you tap into more of that wonder the Artemis II crew sparked. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected]. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Risa Wechsler Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Risa Wechsler, a professor of astrophysics from Stanford University. (00:01:30) Big Questions About the Universe What the universe is made of, how it evolved, and how galaxies formed. (00:02:15) Mapping the Universe New surveys and telescopes enabling more detailed cosmic maps. (00:04:22) What Is a “Map” of the Universe? 2D images, 3D structure, and looking back in time through light. (00:05:48) Spectroscopy & Redshift How astronomers measure distance and motion using light. (00:08:41) Our Place in the Universe Why there is no clear center or edge in the observable universe. (00:10:54) A Clumpy Universe How small early fluctuations led to galaxies and large-scale structure. (00:12:06) How Galaxies Form The role of dark matter and gas in building galaxies over time. (00:14:35) Types of Galaxies Why galaxies vary in size, structure, and environment. (00:17:06) Gravity Across Scales How the same laws govern everything from planets to galaxies. (00:19:02) What Is the Universe Made Of? The invisible matter shaping galaxies and cosmic structure. (00:22:03) Using Maps to Study the Unknown How large-scale surveys reveal dark matter and energy effects. (00:24:43) The Milky Way as a Laboratory Studying nearby galaxies to understand fundamental physics. (00:26:48) Diversity in Galaxy Formation How different histories shape galaxies. (00:28:02) Reading Cosmic History Using observations to reconstruct galaxy evolution. (00:28:50) Observing Nearby Galaxies Why distance matters for studying full galactic systems. (00:29:17) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.