This week, we welcome Ethan Siegel on the podcast! Our guest, author of "Infinite Cosmos," discusses his STEM origin story from a curious child with a telescope to a renowned astrophysicist and science communicator. He recounts his educational path, including his PhD from the University of Florida and postdoctoral work at the University of Arizona.

Siegel emphasizes the importance of curiosity and overcoming crises in career choices. He highlights the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as a revolutionary tool for understanding the universe's early stages. Siegel's book, "Infinite Cosmos: Visions from the James Webb Space Telescope," explores JWST's discoveries, including the earliest galaxies and the formation of supermassive black holes. He calls for continued investment in space telescopes to uncover more cosmic mysteries.

For all you Big Bang Theory fans (the theory, not the show) Ethan showcases just how JWST & Hubble have helped us understand how the universe looks and now, thanks to Webb, how the early universe grew up! From black holes, to dark matter, and the early universe - there's plenty here for the astrophysics junkies & the space newbies. Make sure to check out Ethan's book here: https://amzn.to/48gg6xh

https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/

https://bigthink.com/people/ethansiegel/

Topics: 
James Webb Space Telescope, Ethan Siegel, astrophysicist journey, science communication, early universe, dark matter, pulsar timing, cosmic inflation, supermassive black holes, Orion Nebula, Fomalhaut system, discovery potential, National Geographic book, perfect launch, science outreach

Timestamps:

00:00 Ethan Siegel's Journey to Becoming an Astrophysicist
03:37 Ethan's Education and Early Career in Astrophysics
14:54 Navigating Career Crises and Choosing a Path Forward
19:12 Ethan's Early Universe Research Focus and Contributions
34:07 The Role of Curiosity and Continuous Learning
38:55 The impact of James Webb Space Telescope
52:58 Key Discoveries and Surprises from JWST
55:58 The Future of Space Telescopes and Cosmology
01:00:38 Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

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Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)! 
Spread Love, Spread Science

Alex G. Orphanos

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