Dr. Brian Keating: Charting the Architecture of the Universe & Human Life

Huberman Lab

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Brian Keating, Ph.D., a cosmologist and professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. We discuss the origins of the universe and how humans have used light and optics to understand where and how life on Earth emerged.

We explore how early humans charted the stars, sun, moon, and other celestial events to measure time and track seasons, as well as how stargazing continues to connect us to a shared ancient experience. Additionally, we examine the scientific process, the practical and ethical challenges of pursuing groundbreaking discoveries, and the emotional toll of striving for recognition in one’s profession.

Finally, we discuss whether astrology has any scientific validity and consider the possibility of life beyond Earth.

Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Dr. Brian Keating

00:02:07 Cosmology, Origin of Universe

00:05:41 Sponsors: LMNT & BetterHelp

00:08:33 Stars, Planets, Early Humans, Time

00:14:53 Astrology, Ophiuchus Constellation

00:19:58 Pineal Gland, Time-Keeping & Stars, Seasons & Offspring

00:29:19 Humans, Time Perception, Astronomy

00:36:08 Sponsor: AG1

00:37:47 Brain & Prediction; Moonset, Syzygy; Telescope, Galileo

00:46:36 Light Refraction; Telescope, Eyeglasses

00:51:36 Earth Rotation & Sun

00:53:43 Glass, Microscope, Telescopes & Discovery

01:02:53 Science as Safe Space; Jupiter, Galileo, Discovery, Time

01:10:48 Early Humans, Stonehenge, Pyramids, Measurement Standards

01:15:54 Giants of Astronomy

01:20:04 Sponsors: Function & Helix Sleep

01:23:10 Origin of Life, Scientific Method & P-Hacking; Nobel Prize, Big Bang, Inflation

01:30:20 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, BICEP

01:37:58 Father & Son Relationship, Science & Rewards

01:44:06 Loss, Mentor

01:49:55 Antarctica, South Pole

01:56:49 Light & Heat Pollution, South Pole

02:01:09 Prize Pursuit, First Discovery; Star Collapse, Micrometeorites, Polarization

02:08:26 Sponsor: ROKA

02:10:08 Moon, Size & Horizon; Visual Acuity; Rainbow or Moon Bigger?

02:15:21 Sunset, Green Flash, Color Opponency

02:23:05 Menstrual & Lunar Cycles; Moon Movement

02:26:36 Northern Hemisphere & Stargazing, Dark Sky Communities, Telescope

02:29:51 Constellations, Asterism; Halley's & Hale-Bopp Comets

02:32:13 Navigation, Columbus

02:36:29 Adaptive Optics, Scintillation, Artificial Stars

02:48:28 Life Outside Earth?

02:57:50 Gut Microbiome; Building Planet

03:05:00 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Protocols Book, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures