We’re joined on the Starline by theoretical astrophysicist exploring a range of questions in cosmology, the study of the universe from beginning to end. Her book “THE END OF EVERYTHING (Astrophysically Speaking)” takes us on a tour of 5 potential cosmic end of day scenarios. We welcome Dr. Katie Mack
Astro Katie Let’s go Beyond the Mic, You started at Caltech for your BS, went to Princeton for your Masters & Ph.D. was a Cambridge and Melbourne research fellow and now teach in North Carolina. When you were growing up did you ever think you would be such an academic wanderer and end up where you are today?
How has North Carolina State, where you teach, embraced the stardom you have received without even being a tenured professor?
We’re talking to Dr. Katie Mack Beyond the Mic, from your book “The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)” The Big Crunch, Heat Death, The Big Rip, Vacuum Decay & Bounce, five seemingly scary names for cosmic disasters. Let’s take the fear out of the situation, what are the odds that any of these will happen in the next day or so?
If you could put it in simple terms, how would you describe the Big Crunch?
Boy nothing scary about that, ( Pause) what about Heat Death? Wow
It’s Dr. Katie Mack, her book “THE END OF EVERYTHING (Astrophysically Speaking)” is available now. Two theories down, 3 to go, could you please tell me about the one with my favorite name, the Big Rip?
Wow, how about Vacuum Decay? That’s terrifying…
Dr. Katie Mack joins us Beyond the Mic, to break down the 5 cosmic disaster scenarios she discusses in her book “The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)”. We’re at the final one, what is Bounce?
Katie is a Social Star:
In social media You are mentioned with the same reverence as Dr Tyson, Hawking and Sagan. How rewarding is it to take complex physics and cosmology and boil it down that a kid could understand it?
How do you balance the time of teaching, research, book activities, science outreach and time for just yourself?
Why should young girls get excited about STEM?
Talk about the powerful influence your family was in your development into a cosmologist?
What intrigues you the most about the universe?
The Rockin’ 8
Time is running out, so it’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind.
There is no Pressure.
1. Last place you went on vacation?
2. What was the title of your last paper?
3. What’s your go-to comfort food?
4. Class in College that bored you the most?
5. Who is the person at North Carolina State that mentors you?
6. Favorite Band?
7. Star Trek or Star Wars?
8. Do you still have your pillow fort ready if you have to record more audio book audio in the future?
Her last vacation was skiing in France, she’s a fan of Star Trek The Next Generation and her book “The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)” is available now. Dr. Katie Mack thanks for taking the time to talk with me today.
And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.
