Janna Levin

Janna Levin

Theoretical Astrophysicist, Barnard College

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Janna Levin is a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is also director of sciences at Pioneer Works, a center for arts and sciences in Brooklyn, and has contributed to an understanding of black holes, the cosmology of extra dimensions, and gravitational waves in the shape of spacetime. Her previous books include How the Universe Got Its Spots and a novel, A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines, which won the PEN/Bingham Prize. She was recently named a Guggenheim fellow.

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5 min
When one path is blocked, a new one must be paved. How Einstein, Heisenberg and Gödel used constraints to make life-changing discoveries:
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6 min
A physicist discusses the boundaries of reality and experimentation.
A swirling, bright galaxy or nebula in deep space with a luminous center and spiraling blue and purple hues against a dark starry background.
12 min
Quantum wormholes are mathematically possible — but might also be physically impossible. Physicist Janna Levin explains Hawking’s famous information paradox.
A stylized, purple-tinted depiction of a black hole in space, showing a glowing accretion disk and a star-filled background.
6 min
Gravity defies quantum mechanics. What does that mean for a theory of everything?
Illustration of an astronaut being propelled through a futuristic, tunnel-like structure against a black background.
9 min
Ever wonder what would happen if we got sucked into a black hole? Turns out we could live in it for a while — if it was big enough.
6 min
What does a theoretical physicist do all day? Janna Levin shares some insight on perception vs. reality, and provides a glimpse of how she spends her time (hint: doing math).
5 min
If you can't break through a wall, you climb over it. Janna Levin, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College, points to three genius scientists who embraced limitations.