Paul Sutter
Paul M. Sutter is an astrophysicist at SUNY Stony Brook and the Flatiron Institute in New York City. Paul received his PhD in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2011, and spent three years at the Paris Institute of Astrophysics, followed by a research fellowship in Trieste, Italy, His research focuses on many diverse topics, from the emptiest regions of the universe to the earliest moments of the Big Bang to the hunt for the first stars. As an "Agent to the Stars," Paul has passionately engaged the public in science outreach for several years. He is the host of the popular "Ask a Spaceman!" podcast, author of "Your Place in the Universe" and "How to Die in Space" and he frequently appears on TV — including on The Weather Channel, for which he serves as Official Space Specialist.
Latest articles by Paul Sutter
![March for Science participants in New York City dress as astronauts to support science.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DcHYrT4uLbusDJ3wtaDGNf-320-80.jpg)
How can we restore public trust in science? (op-ed)
By Paul Sutter published
In an age of diminishing trust in science, scientists need to change how they work with the public and within the broader scientific community.
![a gray-black dark nebula spreads through space, obscuring dozens of background stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2EkHCJewLt9H6t5Rs9MyJY-320-80.jpg)
How exotic alien life could thrive in the giant molecular clouds of deep space
By Paul Sutter published
An astronomer has outlined a way for methane-producing life to thrive in the molecular clouds of deep space, opening up a new pathway to understanding the potential origins and diversity of life.
![The supermassive black hole Gargantua plays a major role in the 2014 sci-fi blockbuster Interstellar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vxy6RS4LV4FkLqxpmQAnJm-320-80.jpg)
Interstellar astronauts would face years-long communication delays due to time dilation
By Paul Sutter published
Due to the mind-blowing distances and speeds required, interstellar travel remains a major spaceflight challenge. But new research highlights yet another hurdle: Communication blackouts.
![Artist's illustration black hole void](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gJyCnN44Q5JsdWnt4jcJ5n-320-80.jpg)
Is the vacuum of space truly empty?
By Paul Sutter published
Space mysteries Even though the density of interstellar space is billions of times lower than even our emptiest human-made vacuum chambers, it's not 100% percent empty.
![the sun shines through a blue cloudy sky over stonehenge surrounded by rolling grassy fields](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iqsPiGvK7WuMWY9sNN5ivB-320-80.jpg)
What did ancient humans know about astronomy?
By Paul Sutter published
Humanity's ability to track and monitor celestial cycles stretches back into prehistory, long before the invention of telescopes and astrolabes.
![An image of Betelgeuse composed of six exposures with diffraction spikes added.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dVu44cvGTkUTgkJSupJjdc-320-80.jpg)
Betelgeuse may be the result of a 'quiet' star merger
By Paul Sutter published
Astronomers developed a sophisticated computer simulation to explore whether or not strange star Betelgeuse may be the result of a merger between two smaller stars.
![Sunspots on the face of the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8jFwbnpuJnJG32Z74dGe86-320-80.jpg)
Space weather is a growing threat. This new NASA center aims to help protect us
By Paul Sutter published
Space is a dangerous place, especially when it comes to high-energy particles, and intense solar activity can pose threats to people and technology on Earth.
![This illustration shows one possible scenario for the hot, rocky exoplanet called 55 Cancri e, which is nearly two times as wide as Earth. New data from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope show that the planet has extreme temperature swings.. Image released March 30, 2016.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vDz8twHEX5qa6yTnSTsYaQ-320-80.jpg)
James Webb Space Telescope could have explained the mysterious signals from 'hell planet' 40 light-years away
By Paul Sutter published
The hellish super-Earth '55 Cancri e' may be constantly losing and re-growing its atmosphere, a new study of the planet's strange transit signals suggests.
![A model of the big bang showing a large explosion that produces the rest of the universe](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TqTTvwW4CjjMvBp4JiThc9-320-80.jpg)
How did the universe's elements form?
By Paul Sutter published
We all know the universe contains a vast array of elements, ranging from light gases, such as helium, to heavy metals, like lead. But where did all of the elements come from?
![The Square Kilometre Array may provide answers.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DSFYup7QqjzjxMJxqV4SVP-320-80.jpg)
Powerful new radio telescope could unmask the ancient universe — if satellites don't ruin the view
By Paul Sutter published
When complete, the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO) will be the world's most powerful radio telescope — if SpaceX's Starlink satellites don't ruin its view.
![An artist's depiction of Neptune and its largest moon, Triton.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VN8RpsrDfqQn5iQ85YWg43-320-80.jpg)
Could Neptune's largest moon swing a spacecraft into the planet's orbit?
By Paul Sutter published
Researchers have shared a radical new idea for how to put a spacecraft in orbit around Neptune: Use the thin atmosphere of Triton, Neptune's largest moon, to capture it.
![a satellite floats above Earth while computer code can be seen in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xrbvwmkbGrDSa4X36gmrDD-320-80.jpg)
AI is already helping astronomers make incredible discoveries. Here's how
By Paul Sutter published
Scientists worldwide are already using artificial intelligence and machine learning to sort through huge amounts of data, suggesting that the future of astronomy belongs to AI.
![NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured a stunning image of the central neutron star of the Crab Nebula, which spins at a rate of 30 times per second with a visible pulsating appearance, much like a heart.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EdBNS9ChqyCnRRiieug5sW-320-80.jpg)
Nuclear 'pasta' cooked up by dead stars could unravel the secrets of stellar afterlife
By Paul Sutter published
In the extreme hearts of neutron stars, fundamental particles are twisted into strange 'pasta' shapes that could reveal untold secrets about how dead stars evolve.
![two images, showing a dark, star-studded sky on the left and a light-polluted city sky on the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2MQtRGPwiA7BBYFUvrjhaa-320-80.jpg)
The loss of dark skies is so painful, astronomers coined a new term for it
By Paul Sutter published
Humanity is slowly losing access to the night sky, and astronomers have invented a new term to describe the pain associated with this loss: 'noctalgia,' meaning 'night grief.'
![An enhanced view of Neptune's largest moon, Triton.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9CFrjRcjekBi36nVmqN9PB-320-80.jpg)
Why is Neptune's moon Triton so weird?
By Paul Sutter published
The outer solar system contains a striking crime scene with a big mystery: How did Neptune get a moon like Triton?
![An artist's interpretation of what Planet Nine might look like.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ewHXX9BMeGHnMukE2jewPV-320-80.jpg)
A 'Planet Nine' far from Earth could explain the odd behavior of icy bodies beyond Neptune
By Paul Sutter published
As the search for "Planet Nine" in the outer solar system continues, new research suggests there may be an Earth twin buried deep within the frozen waste of the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune.
![Disproportionate illustrations showing the sun, moon and Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gYAgDHpw39gPJJ3AoYirtC-320-80.jpg)
How does Earth's relationship with the sun affect our planet's climate?
By Paul Sutter published
According to the science, Earth should actually be experiencing a cooling period right now.
![An illustration of a black hole.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iWbt6ewM92P2v22WEmcDoi-320-80.jpg)
'Twisty' new theory of gravity says information can escape black holes after all
By Paul Sutter published
Einstein's theory of relativity say black holes are 'bald', but a new tweak to his research may give the mysterious objects their long-sought 'hair.'
![An illustration of deep space, filled with stars and dense orange/brown clouds.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RagjiQfHPzvL62F3DY8Lvc-320-80.jpg)
25 years after its discovery, dark energy remains frustratingly elusive
By Paul Sutter published
While there are hints that dark energy may be 'phantom,' its true nature remains frustratingly elusive, a new study reports.
![white light spreading out from the center surrounded by stars.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DjzVJcVoKeCDgWHsga8deB-320-80.jpg)
Could white holes actually exist?
By Paul Sutter published
Black holes seem to get all the attention. But what about their mirror twins, white holes? Do they exist? And, if so, where are they?
![glowing arch of milky way above a desert landscape with stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ixFpX3gP5XDDpsctXzSFpM-320-80.jpg)
You'll travel nearly a trillion miles in your lifetime, even if you never leave home. Here's how.
By Paul Sutter published
Whether you're a frequent jet-setter or a couch potato, you travel much more than you think, thanks the motion of the Earth, sun, Milky Way galaxy and more.
![a dense web of wires and magnets in a circular arrangement](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/efK8fUseEW72rWosxSybjm-320-80.jpg)
Top 10 best (or worst) terms in astronomy and physics
By Paul Sutter published
The modern scientific fields of astronomy and physics stretch back for centuries, and so naturally they've accumulated a lot of interesting names for objects, ideas, and phenomena.
![A transparent blue bubble in space with a bright star shining in the center](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FnD7MgxSdX5ZXSz7LyQcL3-320-80.jpeg)
Giant 'bubbletrons' shaped the forces of the universe moments after the Big Bang, new study suggests
By Paul Sutter published
Meet the 'bubbletrons' — theoretical particle accelerators that may have helped build the universe as we know it.
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