Episode · StarTalk Radio · 2026-02-03
Books mentioned on Incoming Asteroids, Moving Black Holes, & More! | Cosmic Queries #104
Neil deGrasse Tyson recommended Black hole blues by Janna Levin and Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space by Janna Levin, and discussed The elegant universe by Brian Greene. Chuck Nice discussed Watchmen by Alan Moore and others. Also mentioned: Moons by David A. Rothery.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Black hole blues
Black hole blues by Janna Levin is a compelling chronicle detailing the decades-long development of the massive scientific machines designed to detect gravitational waves.
Recommended“She's totally into this with the black hole blues. The black hole blues. She got a whole book. That's her book.”
Where to get it
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Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space
Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space by Janna Levin is a captivating non-fiction chronicle detailing the scientific quest to detect gravitational waves and capture the elusive signals of black holes colliding in the distant universe.
Recommended“She's totally into this with the black hole blues. The black hole blues. She got a whole book. That's her book.”
Where to get it
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Moons
Discussed“According to the paper, can moons have moons? By uh somebody Raymond and Raymond Calamir and Raymond.”
Where to get it
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Watchmen
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is a groundbreaking graphic novel set in an alternate history where superheroes are real, exploring complex moral dilemmas, Cold War tensions, and the psychological toll of vigilantism.
Discussed“There's a cool Dr. Manhattan from the Watchman. The Watchmen series. Yes. Um, the movie got me. I mean, I always The Watchman was the the graphic novel.”
Where to get it
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The elegant universe
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene is a bestselling exploration of string theory, quantum mechanics, and the quest for the ultimate physical theory of reality.
Discussed“In class the other day, I was reading The Elegant Universe. That's Brian Green, right? Brian Green. Yes. Bestselling book.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Because it's a question and answer book. I love it. It's called Just Visiting This Planet.”