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Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Why We Have Leap Days

2024-02-20 Science & Technology
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Description

What’s going on with Leap Year? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explain why we sometimes have that extra day in February. Learn about the rotation and orbit of the Earth and how our orbit isn’t exactly 365 days. What is the difference between the Gregorian and Julian Calendar? We take a trip back to 1582 to find out why The Pope took out 10 days of October. Plus, find out why 2000 was such a special leap year. Come check out our brand-new channel! https://www.youtube.com/@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 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Why Do We Have a Leap Day? 2:54 - What Do You Do With The Extra Six Hours? 4:13 - The Gregorian Calendar & Problems with The Julian Calendar 9:21 - Why the 2000 Leap Year Was Special 11:36 - The Magic of New Years

Top Comments (10)

@Nunya_Bidnez 2024-02-21

We love you Chuck. The Universe would not be the same without you.

532 9 replies
@kevinflick61 2024-02-22

With Chuck's spot-on comedic touch & Neil's and incredible understanding of how astrophysics, you guys have the most entertaining and informative science show on YouTube.

526 7 replies
@Gle7N 2024-02-21

I once flew from San Fran to Frankfurt on December, 31st. The flight is 11 hours, guess what we fellow travelers did.....we celebrated New Years 10 times, each time the new hour began.....😂

436 12 replies
@davidjames6879 2024-02-23

Science wasn't anywhere this interesitng or cool when I was in school. Chuck is quick to pick up on all the nuances and Neil is beyond an great explainer! Thanks so much.

233 1 replies
@StarTalk 2024-02-20

Does your birthday fall on a Leap Day?!

212 89 replies
@LightStrike21-q4e 2024-02-21

If Neil was my science teacher in high school I would never miss a day.

197 6 replies
@ShawnRavenfire 2024-02-21

Another interesting fact. England, being a Protestant country, did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until more than a hundred years later, which meant that in the American colonies, the date skipped ahead eleven days, which is why George Washington's Birthday is celebrated on the 22nd, despite him being born on the 11th.

76 5 replies
@stringtheory8090 2024-02-21

Chuck and Neil has such great chemistry

61
@davidletarte214 2024-02-21

omg chuck always cracks me tf up, "this is rome!"

46 1 replies
@pablodaproducer8507 2024-12-24

0:13 ive never seen two men so smart and so goofy at the same time ..this was hilarious

10

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