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YouTube

The Cosmic Distance Ladder: How to Measure the Universe - Part 2

3Blue1Brown via YouTube

Overview

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Explore the fascinating methods used to measure vast cosmic distances in this educational video that builds understanding from nearby planets to the farthest reaches of the observable universe. Journey through key astronomical concepts including measuring the distance to Venus, understanding the speed of light's role in astronomy, calculating distances to nearby stars, mapping the Milky Way, and determining the scale of both nearby and distant galaxies. Learn about the innovative techniques astronomers have developed over centuries to create the cosmic distance ladder, while also discovering the lingering mysteries that continue to challenge our understanding of universal measurements. Features custom animations created with Python's manim library, original artwork of historical astronomers, and expert commentary with additional resources available through an accompanying FAQ and social media channels.

Syllabus

0:00 - Intro
1:04 - Distance to Venus
7:30 - Speed of light
10:08 - Nearby stars
13:20 - The Milky Way
18:14 - Nearby Galaxies
19:44 - Distant Galaxies
22:42 - Lingering mysteries

Taught by

3Blue1Brown

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