Paul M. Sutter shares the science behind movies and TV shows set in space.
He talks about string theory in “3 Body Problem.” He discusses the portrayal of black holes in “Interstellar,” starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Matt Damon. He deconstructs wormholes in “Contact,” starring Jodie Foster; and “Event Horizon,” starring Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne. He breaks down how humans could feasibly get to Mars in “The Martian,” starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, and Donald Glover. He explains how gravity assists work in “Armageddon,” starring Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis, and Billy Bob Thornton. He describes how stars die in “Avengers: Infinity War,” starring Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Hemsworth; and “Sunshine,” starring Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, and Rose Byrne. Finally, he examines cosmic voids in “Star Trek: Voyager.”
Paul M. Sutter is a cosmologist and astrophysicist. He has written three books and serves as a NASA advisor. He also hosts the “Ask a Spaceman” podcast. You can check out his audio and video appearances on his website or YouTube channel.