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What Could We See with a Planet-Sized Telescope?

Season 13 Episode 6 | 16m 00s

The James Webb Telescope just took a photo of a newly discovered exoplanet. Exciting stuff but the raw image just looks like a small, faint dot—not a fully detailed world. The question is, just how big would a telescope need to be to actually see an alien world in detail? Let’s explore diffraction, resolution, wild telescope tech, and one mind-blowing idea that could change everything.

Aired: 05/26/25
Extras
Barbara Jordan’s voice shook the nation. Discover her story in The Inquisitor.
Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra.
Each day, Sun Ra wrote a piece of music solely for “the Creator.”
Sun Ra was one of the first Black artists to have his own record label.
Sun Ra wanted to change humanity with his concept of the “alter destiny.”
Ocean parents must master dedication and intelligence to raise their young.
Animal parents must overcome freshwater’s constant changes.
Librarians across the U.S. examine how the review of library materials is impacting communities.
Appraisal: 1937 Hindenburg Airship Fragments
Appraisal: 1865 Eyewitness Account of Lincoln Assassination
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