Why Planets Are Round

Why are planets round? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explain why the universe keeps creating spheres. What is so special about spheres?

We explore why soap bubbles, cold pigeons, planets, and the sun are all round. Learn about asteroid Ceres’ upgrade to dwarf planet and how Saturn got its rings. We also get into disks: why are some object spheres and other are disks?

Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus

Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn

Support us on Patreon:   / startalkradio  

FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk:
Twitter:   / startalkradio  
Facebook:   / startalk  
Instagram:   / startalk  

About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

#StarTalk #neildegrassetyson

00:00 - Introduction: The Universe Love Making Round Things
00:48 - Surface Tension in Soap Bubbles
2:34 - Why Birds Get Round
3:43 - Why Planets & Stars Are Spherical
6:25 - Ceres & Spheres in Zero Gravity
8:25 - How Planets Have Rings
10:09 - Galactic Disks