Podcast Summary
Astrophysicists Start Fashion Blog to Document Science-Inspired Trends: Two astrophysicists launched a blog to showcase and discuss the intersection of science and fashion, inspired by the growing popularity of science-themed clothing.
Emily Rice and Summer Ash, two astrophysicists and hosts of StarTalk All Stars, started the astronomy and science fashion blog, Startorialists, due to their shared observation of the increasing fusion of science and fashion in everyday life. They were inspired by the growing availability of science-themed clothing and were motivated to create a platform to document and discuss these trends. The idea came about during their conversations in New York City, and they decided to collaborate on the project to hold each other accountable. They met at a Hungarian pastry shop in Columbia University to further develop their plans. The Startorialists blog serves as a virtual closet for them to keep track of the latest science-inspired fashion and engage with their audience about these topics.
Discovering the Name 'Starkorialist' for a Fashion Brand Inspired by Space: Through brainstorming and collaboration, a unique name 'Starkorialist' was chosen for a fashion brand inspired by space, combining science and fashion, and ensuring its availability across social media platforms.
The name "Starkorialist" for a fashion brand inspired by space was discovered through brainstorming sessions and a creative suggestion from an astronomer. The name was chosen because it combined the concepts of science and fashion, and the founders wanted to encourage scientists to express their love for science through fashion. They started the brand three years ago, and it has since become a platform where science and fashion intersect. The name was discovered through a collaborative process, with ideas being shared and commented on in a Google doc. The founders were determined to ensure the name was available across various social media platforms before launching. The brand's tagline, "where science meets fashion and where scientists get fabulous," reflects the mission to encourage scientists to embrace their love for science and express it through fashion.
Science and Fashion: Coexisting and Challenging Stereotypes: Science and fashion can intersect, challenging stereotypes and offering new opportunities for outreach and engagement. Wearable technology and civilian astronauts are examples of this fusion.
Science and fashion can coexist, and it's important to challenge the double standard that suggests women in science must choose between their appearance and their research. This conversation also highlighted the potential of fashion and wearable technology as a tool to spark conversations about science. The integration of these seemingly disparate fields can lead to new opportunities for outreach and engagement. Additionally, the discussion touched upon the emergence of civilian astronauts or space tourists, who may wear fashionable clothing during their space travel experiences. Overall, this conversation emphasized the importance of breaking down stereotypes and embracing the interconnectedness of various aspects of our lives.
Space and Fashion Intersecting: Space tourists exist, spacewear trends, advanced space tech, and promising future for both fields
Space exploration and fashion are intersecting in exciting ways. Space tourists already exist, and spacewear, such as astronaut jumpsuits and jackets, are becoming fashion trends. Space technology, like the signal sending devices on satellites and space telescopes, is more advanced than Earth's due to size, weight, and money limitations. Despite these challenges, NASA and other space agencies use advanced technology like the Deep Space Network to maintain communication with their spacecraft. Space fashion is on the rise, and space technology continues to advance, making the future of both fields promising.
Exploring Space with the Deep Space Network: The Deep Space Network offers real-time communication between Earth-based antennas and spacecraft, providing detailed information and complex signal data in the world of space exploration.
The Deep Space Network is a powerful resource that allows users to see real-time communication between Earth-based antennas and spacecraft. This interactive and live platform provides detailed information about the antennas and spacecraft, as well as the signals being sent and received. It's a fascinating glimpse into the world of space exploration and demonstrates the importance of having the right equipment to receive and understand complex signals. Additionally, the fashion segment of the podcast highlighted the unique and often inaccurately named astronomical fashion items, such as Emily's "purple galaxy sweatshirt," which is actually a representation of the Orion constellation. Overall, this discussion showcased the intersection of science and fashion, as well as the importance of accurate information and effective communication in both fields.
Exploring Space Through Merchandise: Connect with space through unique merchandise, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity. From hoodies with reversible galaxy prints to magnetic necklaces featuring various galaxies and nebulae, these offerings serve as a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the universe.
Space exploration and appreciation extend beyond professional telescopes and into everyday life through unique merchandise. During our discussion, we touched upon various aspects of this theme. For instance, we came across a hoodie featuring Sagan's Galaxy, which is a nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This hoodie, designed by Shadow Play NYC, can be worn with the galaxy print on the outside or reversed, revealing a black peak. Moreover, the company offers various products with the same print, including a scarf, a dress top, and a shirt top. Another company, Yugen Tribe, offers a magnetic necklace series featuring various galaxies and nebulae, allowing users to switch out magnets as desired. We also learned that the Cat's Eye Nebula, one of the designs available, is actually a planetary nebula, marking the end stage of a star's life rather than the beginning of planet formation as once believed. These companies provide an engaging way for individuals to connect with space, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity. By incorporating elements of space into everyday life, these merchandise offerings serve as a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the universe.
The universe's geometry: flat on large scales, spherical on small: The universe's geometry is flat on large scales, meaning it doesn't curve back on itself, but it's still three-dimensional and has a spherical observable shape from our perspective.
The universe, as we understand it, is described as having a flat geometry on large scales, but it's important to note that this flatness is different from the flatness we observe on Earth or in three-dimensional space. The universe's geometry is better described in the context of the four dimensions of space and time. The observable universe, which is what we can see from our perspective on Earth, has a spherical shape. However, the universe as a whole is thought to be flat, not in the sense of two-dimensional planes, but in the sense that if you were to travel in one direction, you would not return to your starting point. There are other theoretical shapes for the universe's topology, such as a saddle or a spherical shape, but based on current evidence, the flat geometry is the most widely accepted explanation. The speaker also mentioned that there are two different concepts of the universe being discussed – the observable universe and the theoretical universe – which can lead to confusion when interpreting questions about the universe's shape.
Science, Fashion, and the Fascination with Cats in Space: The universe is believed to be flat with the addition of the fourth dimension of time. Space and cats are popular themes on the internet, leading to a trend of space-inspired cat fashion. Neil deGrasse Tyson's star vest is an iconic representation of the cosmos in fashion.
The universe is believed to be flat in the sense of having no curvature in three dimensions of space, but with the addition of the fourth dimension of time. The discussion also touched upon the fascination with cats in space and space-inspired fashion, which seems to be popular on the internet, particularly on Instagram. The question was raised as to why cats are a common theme in this fashion trend, and it was suggested that it could be due to the internet's love for both space and cats. Neil deGrasse Tyson's star vest was mentioned as an iconic garment that represents the cosmos. The discussion ended with a question about which of Tyson's shirts best captures the cosmos, and it was noted that Tyson himself was wearing a shirt inspired by Tyson's star vest at the time of the recording. The conversation also included some humor, such as the idea of a "miss piggy in space" and the suggestion that the person who asked the question was not signing up for the "catronaut" program. Overall, the discussion showcased the intersection of science, fashion, and popular culture.
Science-Inspired Fashion: The Intersection of Style and Science: From Lego figures to 3D printed jewelry, science-inspired fashion merges style and innovation, showcasing the creativity at the intersection of fashion and science.
Fashion and science intersect in unexpected ways, as demonstrated by custom Lego figures, Neil deGrasse Tyson-inspired clothing, and 3D printed jewelry representing lunar orbit trajectories. During a recent episode of StarTalk All Stars, hosts Emily Rice and Summer Ash discussed their love for science-inspired fashion and shared their plans to collaborate with designers to create a new collection. They also showcased a 3D printed necklace designed by engineering student Psy Chic, which represents the lunar orbit insertion trajectory taken by Apollo astronauts. The hosts also shared their excitement about wearing science-inspired clothing, such as Neil Tyson vests and moon-themed t-shirts. Overall, the conversation highlighted the intersection of fashion and science and the creative ways in which they can inspire each other.
Discussing Space Telescopes and 3D Printed Jewelry Inspired by Them: Hubble, Kepler, and James Webb Space Telescopes were discussed, showcasing their unique features and capabilities. Balancing reality and fantasy is crucial when enhancing telescope images.
During a StarTalk after dark episode, 3D printed jewelry inspired by space telescopes was discussed. The Hubble and Kepler telescopes were featured, with the Kepler's field of view explained as a detector's footprint on the sky. The James Webb Space Telescope, with its primary mirror segments, was also introduced, set to launch in October 2018 and provide unprecedented infrared imagery. Regarding manipulated interstellar images, it was acknowledged that enhancing contrast and using unperceivable wavelengths can be artistic, but it's essential to maintain a balance between reality and fantasy. The discussion also touched upon how images, such as those from Hubble, can be manipulated for fashion purposes, but the line between interpretation and distortion should be considered.
Exploring Space in Different Wavelengths: Space telescopes observe various wavelengths of light unseen by the human eye, transforming complex data into visually stunning images for scientific understanding.
Space telescopes like Hubble, Spitzer, and Chandra observe different wavelengths of light that we cannot see with our eyes, such as infrared and x-rays. These telescopes collect real scientific data, which is then mapped to colors we can see for public use. Each telescope observes different materials in space, making the combined images a more complete representation of the object or phenomenon being studied. For example, infrared data is more sensitive to dust, while x-ray data is more sensitive to hot gas. By looking at the same object in different wavelengths, scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of it. This process is an art form in itself, with professionals creating visually stunning images for astronomers and the public. It's important to remember that these images are our representations of the data, not the actual wavelengths we cannot perceive.
The Fascinating Overlap of Science and Art in Space Imagery: Space imagery, whether real or inspired, evokes a sense of awe and inspiration, blurring the lines between science and art.
The connection between space imagery and aesthetics is a fascinating topic. Real space images, such as galaxy prints, are often recognized by experts as authentic due to their unique characteristics. However, some non-space objects can also evoke a sense of space through their patterns and colors. The speaker shares personal experiences of mistaking non-space objects for real space imagery, highlighting the intriguing overlap between science and art. This discussion raises questions about the neurological basis for recognizing space imagery and the potential for designers to draw inspiration from it. Overall, the appreciation for space imagery transcends scientific understanding and becomes a source of awe and inspiration for people.
The intersection of fashion and science: Fashion's integration into science encourages women's participation and normalizes their involvement, inspiring interest and contributions to scientific discoveries.
The intersection of fashion and science, as exemplified by the popularization of space-inspired clothing, normalizes women's participation in science and encourages enthusiasm for both fields. During this StarTalk All Stars episode, the hosts discussed the manipulation of space-inspired leggings and the role of fashion in sparking interest in astronomy. Although some believe that fashion may increase female interest in science, the hosts argued that it normalizes women's involvement and challenges the stereotype that scientists must dress a certain way. This normalization allows individuals to engage in various hobbies and interests while contributing to scientific discoveries. The fusion of fashion and science may not be an obvious connection, but it demonstrates the power of shared passions and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives.
