Short Wave Folgen

*Astrophysically speaking. That's the subject of Katie Mack's new book: the possible ends to our entire universe. Specifically, she breaks down some following potential outcomes: heat death, the big crunch and vacuum decay. (Spoiler alert: the names of the other scenarios we don't get to in this episode are just as cool.)Email the show your existential questions at shortwave@npr.org. But please, no existential dread at this time — we're full up on that.P.S. We're off Monday for Labor Day. So, catch you Tuesday!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Since the dawn of Sputnik in 1957, space-faring nations have been filling Earth's orbit with satellites. Think GPS, weather forecasting, telecommunications satellites. And as those have increased, so, too, has space junk. On today's show, we talk about the first mission to clean up space junk and the problem debris poses to sustainability in space. (Encore episode.)Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Black holes are one of the most beguiling objects in our universe. What are they exactly? How do they affect the universe? And what would it be like to fall into one? We venture beyond the point of no return with Yale astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan, into a fascinating world of black holes — where the laws of physics break down. (Encore episode.)Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy