From Big Bang to James Webb: Exploring Space with Nobel Laureate John Mather

From artificial limbs to memory foam, many inventions have emerged from our quest to understand the cosmos. In this episode we explore cosmic history, space's impact on technology, and the enduring human fascination with space exploration. To take us on this journey is astrophysicist John Mather, a Nobel Prize winner for his work on the COBE satellite and a key figure in the James Webb Space Telescope project. Prepare to be intrigued and left with a sense of wonder about the universe's influence on our world. Topics Covered: 00:00 – Innovations through the pursuit of space 03:52– John’s early life 06:44 – Proving The Big Bang Theory 13:30 – The mysteries of quantum mechanics 15:10 – Leading the James Webb Telescope 17:12 – Images from James Webb 20:32 – Are we alone? 24:20 – New telescopes 25:18 – Engineering in space for earth 29:31 – What would you like to see solved in your lifetime? 32:24 – What came before The Big Bang? 25:04 – Misconceptions about space 37:17 – Can humans be a multiplanetary species? 38:20 - Private vs public spending in space 40:24 – What’s the future of space exploration? Resources: COBE satellite imagery: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/cobe_20th.html Images from the James Webb Telescope: https://webbtelescope.org/images Exoplanet transmission spectrum: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/2022/032/01G72VSFW756JW5SXWV1HYMQK4 Stay Updated: Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain Stay Updated: Find a16z on X Find a16z on LinkedIn Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.