On Imposter Syndrome and Science Communication

Hey everyone! I have some really fun videos for you this week. I’m extra proud of my video refuting the claim about the universe being 26 billion years old. People have been talking about this claim a lot, but it’s likely not the case.

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous posting that video because I don’t have a hard science background, and refuting a scientific paper can be intimidating. But some of my scientist friends have assured me I got this one right, so I’m putting my imposter syndrome aside for now.

I’ll never forget one that on one of my first TikTok videos, some guy argued with me because he said I was misrepresenting myself as a scientist because I used the word “we” to describe the science and space community. I was able to recognize he was the problem, not me, because I always do my best to make clear I am a science communicator, but I’m not a scientist.

But if you’re interested in hearing my take on the universe, subscribe to my YouTube channel Ad Astra! Building up a following from scratch over there is difficult, to say the least, but I’m making a valiant effort.

Pre-order my book!

The universe isn’t 26 billion years old

Have you seen recent headlines claiming the universe is actually double the age we traditionally think it is? Well, there are some issues with the assumptions presented in that paper, and I dive right in.

This 3D galaxy tour takes us back billions of years

The Space Science Telescope Institute put together a pretty amazing 3D video from the CEERS Survey by JWST that takes us through billions years of development in the universe.

Peer into a star-forming region in JWST’s first anniversary photo

It’s a gorgeous picture, plus you can actually see a circumstellar disk that might become a planetary system one day.