When NASA Tried to Build a Real Flying Saucer

When NASA Tried to Build a Real Flying Saucer

It sounds like science fiction but for a brief moment in history, engineers actually tried to build a real flying saucer. In this episode, we explore one of the strangest aerospace experiments ever attempted: the Avrocar, a disc-shaped aircraft developed during the Cold War with support from the U.S. military. Inspired by the futuristic vision of a flying saucer, the project aimed to create a revolutionary aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, hovering, and high-speed flight. Why did scientists believe it could work? What engineering challenges stood in the way? And why did the project ultimately fail? From Cold War ambitions and cutting-edge technology to the dream of reshaping aviation, we uncover the fascinating story behind an aircraft that looked like it came straight from another world. Because sometimes… the future people imagine is even stranger than science fiction. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Why Your Fingers Wrinkles in the Shower

Have you ever stepped out of the shower and noticed your fingertips looking shriveled and wrinkled? It may seem like a simple reaction to water, but the real explanation is far more surprising. Scientists have discovered that wrinkled fingers aren’t just the result of your skin soaking up water—they’re actually controlled by your nervous system. Why do only your fingers and toes wrinkle? What purpose do these wrinkles serve? And could they be an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancestors survive? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating science behind one of the most common human experiences, exploring how biology, evolution, and the brain work together in ways most of us never notice. Because sometimes… the smallest changes in our bodies reveal the biggest secrets about how we evolved. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Could a City Survive an Asteroid?!

It’s the kind of disaster usually reserved for science fiction—but what if it actually happened? In this episode, we explore the terrifying possibility of an asteroid striking near or directly into a major city. Using real-world science and historical impacts as our guide, we examine what determines whether a city survives or is devastated. How powerful would the impact be? Could modern technology detect the asteroid in time? And what defenses does humanity have against a threat from space? From shockwaves and firestorms to evacuation plans and planetary defense systems, we break down the physics, the risks, and the odds of one of nature’s most catastrophic events. Because while asteroids helped shape Earth’s past… one could also shape its future. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Why Is the Sky Blue?

It's a question most of us ask as children, yet the answer reveals some of the most fascinating principles of physics. Why does the sky appear blue during the day, turn brilliant shades of red and orange at sunset, and become black at night?In this episode, we unravel the science behind the colors of the sky. Discover how sunlight interacts with Earth's atmosphere, why blue light scatters more than other colors, and how a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering paints the world above us. We'll also explore the stunning science behind sunsets, the colors of distant planets' skies, and what our atmosphere can teach us about the universe.Join us for a journey through light, color, and the invisible forces shaping the view above our heads. By the end of this episode, you'll never look at the sky the same way again. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

What Is the Universe Made Of?

Everything around us from the air we breathe to the stars shining across the night sky is made of something. But when scientists looked deeper into the cosmos, they discovered a shocking mystery: the matter we can see accounts for only a tiny fraction of the universe.In this episode, we explore one of the biggest questions in science: What is the universe really made of? Journey from ordinary atoms and subatomic particles to the invisible realms of dark matter and dark energy. Discover why galaxies spin the way they do, how scientists detect things they cannot see, and why nearly 95% of the universe remains largely unknown.Join us as we uncover the ingredients of the cosmos, examine the latest discoveries in astrophysics, and explore the mysteries that continue to challenge our understanding of reality. By the end of this episode, you'll see the universe and your place within it in a completely new light. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kurzgesagt-podcast-science-revealed--6600013/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].