Exploring outer space with blue and orange stars, image of new episode of positive psychology podcast Harvesting Happiness with Heino Falke & Terry Virts about heavenly destinations

The Exploration of Outer Space and Our Inner Worlds

Original Air Date Wednesday, September 22, 2021

The universe and our purpose in it remain vastly unknown. Many theories, beliefs, and reckonings exist about the “big scheme of things” but ultimately there are few concrete answers to our existential questions about earthly and heavenly destinations.

To explore the impact space has on the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of humans, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two experts in outer space and heavenly destinations, professor of astroparticle physics and preacher, Heino Falcke and astronaut, Colonel Terry Virts.

Heino Falcke created the first global telescope network to successfully photograph a black hole. He talks about his discoveries and his latest book, Light in the Darkness: Black Holes, the Universe, and Us.

Colonel Terry Virts, a captain of the Space Shuttle Endeavor, shares how being in space has changed his spiritual outlook and about his book, How to Astronaut: An Insider’s Guide to Leaving Planet Earth.

Tune in:

Lisa Cypers Kamen · The Exploration of Outer Space and Our Inner Worlds

Meet Our Guests:

Exploring Outer Space and Our Inner Worlds with Professor Heino Falcke & Colonel Terry Virts

Heino Falcke is a professor of astroparticle physics and radio astronomy who seeks the vastness of the sky, believes in divine reason and a reasonable God. Stupid questions are often his best answer. He is blessed with Rhenish humor and East Prussian stubbornness. Falcke is a professor at Radboud University in Nijmegen and visiting scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn. In his free time, he confides, baptizes, buries, and preaches as an ordained preacher in the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland.

Book: Light in the Darkness: Black Holes, the Universe, and Us

Heino Falcke — Exploring Outer Space and heavenly destinations:

What we know and what we don’t know about black holes. {2:29}
Heino Falcke describes his mission to create a global network of telescopes to capture an image of a black hole. {6:26}
Even as a hard-core scientist, Heino still finds that black holes have a mythological element to them. {11:54}
Is physics on a paradigm shift? Heino Falcke explains. {16:50}
Will Einstein’s theory of relativity continue to stand in the future? {21:07}
How Heino’s role as a preacher coexists with his role as a physicist. {25:04}

Follow Heino Falcke:

Colonel Terry Virts earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989, and a master of aeronautical science degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Selected by NASA in 2000, he was the pilot of the STS-130 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. In March 2015, Virts assumed command of the International Space Station for over 200 days.

Virts is one of the stars (and photographers) of the IMAX film, A Beautiful Planet, released in April 2016. He is also the author of View from Above (National Geographic, 2017). He lives near Houston.

Book: How to Astronaut: An Insider’s Guide to Leaving Planet Earth

Colonel Terry Virts — Exploring Inner Worlds:

The physiological and psychological implications of exploring and spending time in space. {31:01}
Colonel Terry Virts describes the impact his work has on his interpersonal relationships with both crewmates and family members. {39:11}
How Colonel Virts’ spiritual outlook changed after being in space. {43:45}
In his short film, Cosmic Perspective, Colonel Terry Virts is exploring space photography in heavenly destinations. {49:00}
Colonel Virts shares his top tips for space tourism. {52:49}

Follow Colonel Terry Virts:

Shareables:

“Black holes are not really happy places. They are places of ultimate destruction.” @hfalke on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Some people say it is just a glowing donut but it’s real in a sense. It’s radio light. It is not science fiction anymore.” @hfalke on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “People can live and work in space for a long time. At least physically from a strength point of view.” @AstroTerry on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “In space, it’s not going to be raining but there are other stressors.” @AstroTerry on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.