As a scientist, Regina G. Barber has always been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. Her interest in space began when she was just a child, watching shows like Star Trek and Cosmos. But it was Netflix’s series ‘3 Body Problem’ that really ignited her passion for science fiction. Based on a bestselling trilogy by Chinese author Liu Cixin, the show follows the world’s top scientists as they race to solve an interstellar mystery spanning decades.
What drew Barber to this particular show was its incorporation of real scientific concepts, which made it both entertaining and educational. Along with astrobiologist Mike Wong, she delved into the science behind the ‘3 Body Problem’, exploring topics such as orbit integration and potential habitable worlds.
This episode is part of Short Wave’s Space Camp series, which explores fascinating phenomena occurring in the universe. If you’re curious about more intriguing topics like this, be sure to check out the rest of the series. And if you have any questions about the science behind your favorite things, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at shortwave@npr.org. Tune in to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more episodes.
Today’s episode of Short Wave was produced by Hannah Chinn and edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Fact-checking was done by Hannah and Regina, with audio engineering by Kwesi Lee. Special thanks to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Home of Space Camp® for their assistance
