Humans have often turned to the night sky for both practical matters, like direction and orientation, as well as philosophical matters, like making sense of our place in the world and communicating with the ethereal. Despite this ancestral connection, many of us either know very little about the space above us and the galaxies around us, or we don’t even have the privilege of being able to develop this connection. Did you know 85% of matter in the universe is considered intangible “dark” matter? Have you ever wondered why it’s even called dark matter? Did you know some nation-states are still considering what it would take to mine the moon? Or that we are radically altering what the night sky looks like through the increasing presence of satellites? In this week’s episode, we explore these curiosities with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein. 

We begin our conversations exploring how theoretical cosmology is a form of storytelling, transitioning to discuss the ramifications of a select few trying to colonize space as a “new frontier.” However, Dr. Prescod-Weinstein challenges us to not fixate on our fear of a perishing night sky, but instead, look at how the night sky can be a part of liberation discourse. Recognizing this value, Dr. Prescod-Weinstein outlines the right to the night sky and what comprehensive accessibility to know and love the night sky means. How can we ensure access, not just in terms of preventing light pollution, but through the creation of dignified lives, where everyone is able to connect with the grandeur of wild skies.

Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is an assistant professor of physics and core faculty in women’s and gender studies at the University of New Hampshire, USA. Her work on particle physics and cosmology focuses especially on the dark matter problem, and she is a topical convenor for the 2021 Snowmass Particle Physics Community Planning Process. In addition, Dr. Prescod-Weinstein is a Black feminist theorist of science, technology, and society studies, and she is an executive committee member of the American Physical Society (APS) Forum on the History of Physics. She is the recipient of the APS 2021 Edward A. Bouchet Award for contributions to particle cosmology research and co-founding Particles for Justice. Dr. Prescod-Weinstein’s book The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred will be published in the US and Canada in March 2021. 

♫ The music featured in this episode includes “Beam” by Harrison Foster, “All The Stars” by Amaara, and “Fire In My Heart” by Jahnavi Veronica.

Episode References

The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred

The End of Everything by Katie Mack

Space Debris: Growing Problem That Is Surprisingly Costly

Particles For Justice

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