Ethan Siegel: Hotter Than the Sun

By Scott Horton
May 17, 2022

Ethan Siegel joins Scott to discuss the science behind the temperature of thermonuclear explosions. Scott is putting together a new book that argues for the abolition of nuclear weapons called Hotter Than The Sun. He wanted to talk with an expert who can actually explain how the bombs are able to reach temperatures that far exceed the center of the Sun. Siegel wrote an article on that exact topic a few years ago, so he’s the perfect person to answer that question. At the end, they also talk about some of the things to avoid if you find yourself in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.

Discussed on the show:

“Ask Ethan: How Can A Nuclear Bomb Be Hotter Than The Center Of Our Sun?” (Forbes)

Ethan Siegel is an astrophysicist, author, professor and science communicator. He’s won numerous awards for science writing since he began blogging in 2008. His blog Starts With A Bang is now housed at Forbes. Follow him on Twitter @StartsWithABang.

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