As the title said, I’m looking for good videos to learn astronomy, cosmology and astrophysics (really, anything related to space is fine, such as rocket science).
PBS SpaceTime is good. Earlier stuff is more approachable and as you go further it gets deeper and deeper into the heavier stuff.
No way, Space Time isn’t good. It’s fantastic! Probably my favorite non-comedy channel. I genuinely understand concepts like the Uncertainty principle much better because of the show than I did from university QM.
I love that channel, but yeah. I’d like to see them revisit some of the earlier topics. The most recent videos are sometimes a bit overwhelming.
Anton Petrov’s channel, “What Da Math?” He breaks down science discoveries and papers, usually related to space. He does a new video every day and they’re really good.
Anton Petrov is an absolute gem, knowledgeable and likable and insanely productive.
Yep. I’ll always support him.
Two of my favorites are already up. Here’s some more.
Professor Carolin Crawford’s Gresham stint is my all-time favorite astronomy lecture series. It’s somewhat outdated, especially on the topic of Pluto, but fundamentally, it’s outstanding.
From Brady Haran, Sixty Symbols covers physics and astrophysics, and Deep Sky Videos covers astronomy.
Dr Becky does current events in astrophysics and astronomy.
The Royal Institution, and The Perimeter Institute offer a lot of good lectures, but aren’t exclusively astro.
Likewise, for a more explainer-style, and not exclusively astro, there’s Fermilab and The Science Asylum .
Dr Angela Collier, acollierastro, does really fun casual conversational videos on the topic that explain topics in a good approachable way. They’re not going to be an efficient way to learn, but they’ve got a pleasant vibe
My favorites (Space Time and Anton and Dr. Becky) were already highlighted so here are more.
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I wish they would bring back SciShow Space, but the occasional space or physics content on regular SciShow is still good for a general audience.
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Scott Manley got known for teaching folks to play Kerbal Space Program but he’s turned to great coverage of aerospace engineering and who is launching what major rocket missions this month.
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Astrum is pleasant and relaxing with nice images.
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Sabine Hossenfelder always has opinions on GR and QM that are somehow both spicy and super practical.
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Fermilab has an official channel with good educational videos.
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MinuteEarth / Minute Physics is great when you’re in a hurry.
Especially the early QM videos by Sabine Hossenfelder are great. Lately she’s just researching popular science news which may or may not be correct. But I like that she is at least stating her bias when she has one.
But I cringe every time she has a NordVPN ad.
Yeah I don’t always watch her non-physics coverage since I tend to get that elsewhere. But she’s obviously well versed in reviewing the published literature and has a team of folks helping with that, which is more than can be said for many science journalists sadly. So even when I’m skeptical of her conclusions I’m at least confident she’s not just a talking head but actually checked the core papers on the topic.
FYI there’s SponsorBlock if you want to skip the NordVPN stuff. I don’t begrudge any channel for needing to make a buck though.
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Dr Becky and PBS Space Time are my favourites. No bullshit, everything scientifically accurate.
Scott Manley. More about spaceflight and related technology, but sometimes talks about astrophysics too
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I love how he happily embraced the “best space content to fall asleep to” and just totally leaned into it.
His video on The Cosmic Scale is one I still rewatch periodically.
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2nd Anton Petrov!
My favourites:
- PBS Space Time
- Anton Petrov
- V101 Space
The best part of the channel Anton Petrov is that there’s a new video every day. Also, the quality is also good.
Astrum is pretty cool
Its not exactly what you want, but theres an app called starwalk two that uses your phone camera.
Aim it into the sky and see all the constellations above you with words etc.
Aim it at the ground and see whats under you etc.
Or juat scro around and see the constellations too.
I wanted to send a picture but photo uploades appear to be down.
I am using Stellarium that has similar functions. But thank for the recommendation
Forgot to mention Arvin Ash. Sometimes a little bit too clickbaity but overall pretty good. And he will correct himself if he got something wrong which is always a plus.
https://www.youtube.com/@AstroCanuck/videos - Twitch streamer so lots of random stuff in the videos
https://www.youtube.com/@scottmanleyNot really educational, more just a fun stream that covers astrology/exobiology news and gaming, but I enjoy Moohoodles on Twitch.