Want your own question answered? Put it in a video and post it here on YouTube. We'll have NOVA scienceNOW's experts answer selected submissions. This is a rare opportunity, so come up with questions, make a video, and send it in.

Video questions will be selected and posted on the Cosmic Perspective page on the NOVA scienceNOW website and then be answered by our experts throughout the season of NOVA scienceNOW, via text on our website, with the last question being answered, September 20, 2009.

Want your own question answered? Put it in a video and post it here on YouTube. We'll have NOVA scienceNOW's experts answer selected submissions. This is a rare opportunity, so come up with questions, make a video, and send it in.

Some of the most challenging problems in physics are rooted in the most beautiful-to-behold sights.


Cosmic Perspective from NOVA scienceNOW, July 14, 2008
(Originally broadcast on July 16, 2008)
Download (11.6 MB)

Neil deGrasse Tyson: And now for some final thoughts on the northern lights.

Who would have guessed, long ago, what causes the aurora? Countless atomic and sub-atomic particles, released by the Sun, in resonance with its 11-year cycle, stream among the planets at speeds up to a million miles an hour. These charged particles see and respond to Earth's magnetic field: the positive and negative charges split north and south. They then gather and pulse, in ways still mysterious, as they collide with molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere.

Want your own question answered? Put it in a video and post it here on YouTube. We'll have NOVA scienceNOW's experts answer selected submissions. This is a rare opportunity, so come up with questions, make a video, and send it in.

If you're around Manhattan this weekend, be sure to take advantage of the twice-a-year opportunity to see the sun set down the East-West streets of New York's smallest borough. We've already posted the NOVA scienceNOW video of Neil observing Manhattanhenge. (Feel free to watch it again.)

On Saturday and Sunday (July 11th and 12th), the sun will set around 8:25 PM (Eastern Time, of course). 

Here's Neil's suggestion for an optimal viewing experience, taken from his Hayden Planetarium website:

"For best effect, position yourself as far east in Manhattan as possible. But ensure that when you look west across the avenues you can still see New Jersey. Clear cross streets include 14th, 23rd, 34th. 42nd, 57th, and several streets adjacent to them. The Empire State building and the Chrysler building render 34th street and 42nd streets especially striking vistas."

Show up at least a half-hour early. Bring a blanket and some lawn chairs. Make some new science geek friends. Let us know how it goes.

As far as we're concerned, the Internet loves Neil.  But how does Neil feel about the Internet?
(Be warned: NBC makes you watch an ad before you can get to the video.) 

What if you could fall through the Earth? In this video, Neil takes you on a fantastic voyage through Earth's molten core--without getting burned. What do you wonder about? Add your "What If" scenarios here, and the producers of NOVA scienceNOW might have Neil act out the answers.

What does Neil mean by "biomarkers"? Check out the Detecting Life interactive on NOVA Online to learn more.

Want your own question answered? Put it in a video and post it here on YouTube. We'll have NOVA scienceNOW's experts answer selected submissions. This is a rare opportunity, so come up with questions, make a video, and send it in.