Jennifer Wiseman - Ultra-deep fields, the numinous, and an omnipresent call to wonder and awe

Dr. Jennifer Wiseman gives expression to our cosmos, as a pioneering astrophysicist, an outspoken advocate for science within policy and the public, as well as a person of faith. Her's are sensibilities of a scientist, a theologian, and a human being in awe of the universe, recognizing that these parts of ourselves need not be in opposition but rather in beautiful and enriching conversation.

Origins Podcast Website

Flourishing Commons Newsletter

Show Notes:

• Discovery of comet 114P/Wiseman-Skiff (14:30)
• Maria Mitchell (14:30)
• Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT (15:40)
• Jim Elliot (16:00)
• Needfulness (23:30)
• the 'lone genius' myth of science (26:00)
• the Science of Science (29:40)
• the society of science (30:00)
• "How Prayer Works" by Kaveh Akbar (30:15)
• 'coworkers in the kingdom of culture' W.E.B. Du Bois (35:00)
• The Hubble Space Telescope (37:00)
• Ultra-deep field image (37:00)
• William James and numinous experiences (37:15)
• discovery of exoplanets (43:00)
• "My God, It’s Full of Stars" by Tracy K Smith (43:30)
• what does it mean to flourish? (52:30)
• lightning round (58:30):
  • Book: A Grief Observedby C.S. Lewis & Life, the Universe and Everythingby Douglas Adam
  • Passion: nature and serendipity
  • Heart sing: the bigger picture, being part of a bigger story
    • a sense of awe and wonder and a sense of hope
    • Jane Hirshfield on Origins
  • Screwed up: worrying about different things in different stages of life
• I am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter (01:07:00)
• Find Jennifer online:
  • At NASA
  • Wikipedia

Logo artwork by Cristina Gonzalez

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