In the first half, science writer Marcus Chown discussed the nature and mysteries of black holes, as well as cosmology and the origin of the universe. He explained that black holes are regions in space where gravity is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape. Typically formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse, black holes can also exist as supermassive entities at the centers of galaxies, including the Milky Way, though their origins remain unclear. On the fundamental nature of black holes, he recounted Einstein's theory that gravity is the curvature of spacetime. Black holes represent extreme "bottomless pits" in this fabric, leading to singularities-- points where density becomes infinite and the current laws of physics break down.
Chown highlighted the groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes in 2015 by U.S. observatories. This collision released energy "about 50 times more powerful than all the stars in the universe combined." He described these gravitational waves as a new way of "hearing" the universe, adding a novel dimension to astronomical observation beyond traditional light-based methods.
He clarified common misconceptions about black holes, stating, "People have this picture of them as cosmic vacuum cleaners," but in reality, "everything in the universe is spinning," causing matter to swirl around black holes rather than being immediately sucked in. He described the phenomenon of spaghettification-- being stretched by gravity near a stellar black hole-- but noted this effect lessens with supermassive black holes, where one could theoretically cross the event horizon "without any ill effects." Chown also commented on the Big Bang theory, the possibilities of extraterrestrial life, and humanity's fortunate timing in cosmic history.
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In the latter half, psychic and paranormal investigator John Russell shared insights from his extensive 50-year career, including tales from his latest book, The Can Sack Ghost, which refers to a playful spirit that manifested by physically rattling a sack of cans in his apartment hallway. Russell described the evolution of psychic education, contrasting his painstaking snail-mail Tarot Master certification with today's instant online courses, and touched on the issue of skepticism in the field, as espoused by people such as James Randi.
On the nature of the paranormal, he offered a broad definition: "The paranormal may actually just be normal," – it's our interaction with ghosts, angels, spirits, nature spirits, and intelligences beyond our physical perception. He emphasized that spirits choose whether to remain near loved ones or places, rejecting the idea of trapped earthbound spirits. Regarding the afterlife, Russell expressed doubt about traditional concepts of heaven, hell, and judgment, stating, "There's no indication that anything like that is there." However, he affirmed a belief in spiritual justice, separate from common notions of karma.
Russell warned that AI could end up being a "Pandora's box" that will be hard to control and could be susceptible to manipulation by spirits. On the subject of animals, he asserted that they are psychic and even capable of communicating in English, recounting a vet tech's astonishment when his dog verbally expressed distress during a nail trim. He revealed that his next book, "20 More Ways to Increase Your Psychic Abilities," will feature new practical, easy-to-learn techniques, such as with meditation and grounding yourself in nature. During the last hour, he gave readings for callers.
News segment guests: Charles R. Smith, Sandra Champlain
EMERGING ARTISTS:
The first Sunday of every month, George Noory presents emerging artists for some of our bumper music selections. Tonight, we heard from Burleson & Matthis, Theresa Purcell, Red Wine Sunday, Sam Connor, Dean Tyler K, Brad Rose, and Acoustic Astronaut. For more info on how to submit your own original music, visit this page.