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Science at Warp Speed: StarTalk Live! @ The Novo Theatre

2026-02-17 Science & Technology
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Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/startalk How much energy would it take to make a warp drive? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedians Pete Holmes and Sasheer Zamata explore the science in TV shows from antimatter annihilation to tachyons to warp bubbles speeding outside of spacetime with astrophysicist & science advisor for Star Trek, Erin Macdonald, and particle physicist & advisor for The Big Bang Theory and Oppenheimer, David Saltzberg. Recorded live in Los Angeles at The Novo Theater. We begin with the unseen universe, tracing the history of light from William Herschel’s discovery of infrared to the modern detection of neutrinos. How common are neutrinos? You’ll learn about the sound of the cosmos as we discuss gravitational waves and how LIGO uses Einstein’s theories to measure ripples in spacetime smaller than an atom. Could we use gravitational waves to detect dark matter? As we warp into the world of Star Trek, we examine how the franchise tracks real-world scientific milestones, from genome sequencing to the legacy of Vera Rubin. We break down the 100% efficiency of matter-antimatter annihilation, the theoretical math behind the Alcubierre warp drive, and why tachyons are a "get out of jail free" card for writers breaking causality. Could spacetime itself violate the speed of light? Plus, Sasheer shares what it’s like growing up with Trekkie parents and being named after a piece of Federation lore. Finally, we dive into the "Superasymmetry" of The Big Bang Theory and the storytelling trade-offs you have to make in science fiction. Is everything symmetrical in physics? From 3D printers bringing us closer to replicators to the societal impact of Nichelle Nichols, we look at how science fiction provides a cosmic perspective on the future we are currently building. Thanks to our Patrons Kevin Lee, Meeka, Orlando Cruz, Landyn Blankenship, Gargoyleb, Matthew, Alex Anderson, MageLord, Akash Akash, Munch, Moien, Clarence Jones, Julie Harden, Thomas Cruz, Mike Nold, HEY JUDE BACA, Terry Melman, Zerain, Susan S, Jody Minx, Connor Wolanski, Dom, Aaron Alter, Scotty, Rawan Brou, Myrthu, Sean Smith, Roderick Van Nooijen, Clarence Jones, George Knapp, Lev Pickovsky, David, Jonathon Widmer, Keith Kimura, Wayne Terry, James Kovacs, CM Blake, C.M. Blake, Dj001, Don Wishnek, Joshua Leavitt, Aaron Ivey, MaconSTUFF, Siddhartha Krishnamurthy, Todd White, Steven Mc., Roberto Mariano, Curtis, Yan Drugalya, Grey Shirt Guy, Alexander Fish, Ellison Williams, Inara Liepa, Courtney Bui, Andrew Alford, Todd, Niclas Anton, Derek Evans, Elyssiel, Mick Ender, Josh Sroka, Kate Smith, Blake, Timothy Del Orbe, Hans Rikson, The Constant Imagination of John Scavella, Jason Racisz, Amrik Bhogal, Todd Farrell, Benjamin Lopez, Brian McCoy, Justin or Justy, Radu Dumitru, Pitou Devgon, Bradley Martin, Dylan Jones, Fredric Palmér, Odysimus (oh-dis-eh-mus), Arek, Steven Kania, John Swilley, Don Schmalbeck, O. Inha, M, Joseph Beckerman, Alf Ford, Gami Lannin, Kristi Pickens, Remi Verdel, Barry McIntyre, Raphael, David Films, Will T, Saurabh Jakate, Benzell Evans, Adithya Venkat, Hue, Rob, Geo, and Derrick for supporting us this week. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Science in TV 05:06 - Invisible Universe: Neutrinos 09:20 - Invisible Universe: Gravitational Waves 14:50 - Invisible Universe: Cosmic Rays 17:00 - Dark Matter & Star Trek 23:46 - Antimatter Annihilation 28:18 - How Do You Carry Around Antimatter? 34:55 - Sasheer’s Trekkie Parents 38:58 - Can We Go Faster Than Light? 48:46 - Other Dimensions & The Upside Down 58:05 - Quantum-Forged Multiverses 1:00:09 - Storytelling in Science Fiction 1:07:40 - Nobel Prize Worthy Discovery in Big Bang Theory 1:13:08 - Future Trek Tech 1:19:00 - A Cosmic Perspective Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Top Comments (10)

@StarTalk 2026-02-17

If warp travel were possible, where would be your first destination beyond the solar system?

63 78 replies
@rafaelwilliford1 2026-02-18

1 hour 20 mins of sitting 🪑 on hard bar stools lol 😂 I know their butts are hurting bad

110 5 replies
@dantheman1984 2026-02-19

I love StarTalk. Pete Holmes is one of the best comedians out there. I love his batman parody skits. Glad you had him on your show. I hope he comes back!

20
@P3rFecTiioNisT 2026-02-18

I was at this live show in La, and something the video doesn’t capture is what happened during the closing remarks. When Neil said, “we create something we’re proud of and not something we’re ashamed of,” the entire audience went “oooh” at the same time. You could literally feel the weight of that sentence in the room. It wasn’t just a line it hit. That moment really stayed with me. Thanks Neil!!! Your the GOAT P.S my church Fearless also takes place at the NOVO at time how fun

27 1 replies
@kevinalicea2929 2026-02-24

I loved this episode so much, Pete Holmes was on point 😂

24 2 replies
@isthisskyrim2862 2026-02-25

We need an episode with Lord Nice and Pete!!!!!!!!!!

7
@tforsell 2026-02-22

These live discussions are gold. The addition of comedic elements brings the whole thing to life. Chuck has the same effect in the studio. Thank you for doing these. Don't stop 🤘😎

10 2 replies
@nonentitlements 2026-02-18

I love Pete Holmes! So happy he was on your panel, Neil

10
@-_Nuke_- 2026-02-18

30:14 "Its always magnets" xD I feel the same haha 🤣

7
@VideoGamesBaby 2026-02-17

I love Pete Holmes. What a delight lol

44 1 replies

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