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Planetary Radio • Nov 05, 2025

Do Aliens Speak Physics?

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On This Episode

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Daniel Whiteson

Particle Physicist and Professor of Physics, University of California, Irvine

Andy warner portrait

Andy Warner

Author and Cartoonist, Andy Warner Comics

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Bruce Betts

Chief Scientist / LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society

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Sarah Al-Ahmed

Planetary Radio Host and Producer for The Planetary Society

If we ever meet intelligent extraterrestrials, will we even be able to talk about physics? Physicist Daniel Whiteson of UC Irvine and cartoonist Andy Warner join Sarah Al-Ahmed to explore one of science’s strangest and most profound questions: if alien civilizations exist, would their understanding of the Universe look anything like ours?

Their new book, “Do Aliens Speak Physics?”, discusses the nature of knowledge itself, asking whether math and physics are truly universal, or if even our most “objective” truths are shaped by our human perspective. Together, they consider what it would take to communicate with alien intelligence and how humor and illustration can make those big cosmic ideas feel surprisingly down-to-Earth.

Then, stick around for What’s Up with Bruce Betts, as we discuss how difficult it is to explain physics to humans, let alone extraterrestrial life.

Do Aliens Speak Physics? book cover
Do Aliens Speak Physics? book cover This image shows the cover of the book Do Aliens Speak Physics? by physicist Daniel Whiteson and cartoonist Andy Warner. The book explores one of science’s most fascinating questions: if alien civilizations exist, would their understanding of the Universe resemble ours? Blending humor, illustration, and physics, it examines whether math and science are truly universal languages or shaped by the limits of human perception and experience.Image: W. W. Norton & Company
Possible outcomes of first alien contact — Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner
Possible outcomes of first alien contact — Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner This illustration by Andy Warner appears in the book Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner. It humorously explores four imagined scenarios for humanity’s first meeting with extraterrestrial life, including immediate annihilation, being served as a three-course meal, forced labor in hydrogen mines, and a respectful exchange of knowledge.Image: Andy Warner
The Drake equation
The Drake equation An illustration of the factors in the Drake equation, a mathematical formula to help think about the probability of finding intelligent life in our galaxy.Image: University of Rochester
The Extended Drake Equation — Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner
The Extended Drake Equation — Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner This illustration from the book Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner, depicts the “extended Drake equation,” an expansion of the original Drake equation that estimates not just how many alien civilizations may exist in our galaxy, but how many might share scientific knowledge that humans could understand. This version of the equation multiplies the traditional term for communicative civilizations, Naliens, by several new factors: fscience​, the fraction that practices experiment-driven science; fcommunication​, the fraction capable of establishing mutual understanding; fquestions​, the likelihood that they ask similar scientific questions; and fanswers​, the likelihood that their answers resemble ours. Together, these terms illustrate the rarity and complexity of true interspecies scientific comprehension.Image: Andy Warner
Daniel and Andy’s Alien Wish List — Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner
Daniel and Andy’s Alien Wish List — Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner The image, titled “Daniel and Andy’s Alien Wish List,” from the book Do Aliens Speak Physics? by Daniel Whiteson and Andy Warner, humorously imagines what human scientists might hope to learn from advanced extraterrestrials. The list includes levitation, teleportation, warp speed, answers to all our questions about the Universe, and cool lasers.Image: Andy Warner

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