Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
There are some captivating things when you look up at the night sky, but our location in the Milky Way may be fogging up our view.
Hosted By: Reid Reimers
SciShow is on TikTok! Check us out at tiktok.com/@scishow
----------
Support SciShow Space by becoming a patron on Patreon: patreon.com/SciShowSpace
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Huge thanks go to the following Patreon supporter for helping us keep SciShow Space free for everyone forever: GrowingViolet, Jason A Saslow, Heriberto Bustos!
----------
Like SciShow? Want to help support us, and also get things to put on your walls, cover your torso and hold your liquids? Check out our awesome products over at DFTBA Records: dftba.com/scishow
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Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet?
SciShow Tangents Podcast: scishowtangents.org
Facebook: facebook.com/scishow
Twitter: twitter.com/scishow
Instagram: instagram.com/thescishow
----------
Sources:
https:energy.utexas.edusitesdefaultfilesUTAustin%20%282021%29%20EventsFebruary2021TexasBlackout%2020210714.pdf [PDF]
https:acore.orgwp-contentuploads202107GS_Resilient-Transmission_proof.pdf [PDF]
https:infrastructurereportcard.orgcat-itemenergy
https:www.energy.govsitesprodfiles201512f28united-states-electricity-industry-primer.pdf [PDF]
https:docs.txoga.orgfiles2644-4-22-21-enverus_txoga_winter-storm-uri-natural-gas-analysis.pdf [PDF]
https:www.energy.govsitesprodfilesoeprodDocumentsandMediaDOE_SG_Book_Single_Pages%281%29.pdf [PDF]
https:www.texastribune.org20210216natural-gas-power-storm
https:www.texastribune.org20210220texas-power-grid-winterize
https:www.forbes.comsitesjemimamcevoy20210527report-finds-hundreds-more-died-in-texas-winter-storm-than-state-says?sh=33ec43e152cc
https:www.eia.govtodayinenergydetail.php?id=35652
https:newbedev.comwhat-happens-to-excess-electricity-generated-going-in-to-a-grid
https:ready.nola.govhazard-mitigationhazardsinfrastructure-failure-power-outage
https:spectrum.ieee.orgbird-poop-can-cripple-power-grids
https:www.tdworld.comintelligent-undergroundingarticle20971838flooding-and-underground-cables-myth-or-reality
https:energyconsumersofthecarolinas.orgbury-our-electric-lines-easy-question-complicated-answer
https:www.kosu.orgu-s-news2021-09-20efforts-to-shore-up-the-electrical-grid-could-mean-moving-power-lines-underground
https:www.utilitydive.comnewsutilities-need-to-harden-the-grid-as-they-green-it-consumers-arent-ready595719
https:www.utilitydive.comnewssophisticated-hackers-could-crash-the-us-power-grid-but-money-not-sabotag603764
https:foreignpolicy.com20210210is-germany-making-too-much-renewable-energy
https:www.greentechmedia.comarticlesreadgermanys-stressed-grid-is-causing-trouble-across-europe
https:www.reuters.comarticleus-utilities-sandiego-blackoutinsight-power-reliability-will-cost-americans-more-idUSTRE78C4UG20110913
https:www.businessinsider.comreplacing-the-us-electric-grid-could-cost-5-trillion-2017-3
https:environment-review.yale.edutrue-cost-power-outages-0
https:www.sciencenewsforstudents.orgarticleexplainer-what-electric-grid
IMAGES
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiFile:HOUSTON_TEXAS_WINTER_SNOW_STORM_OF_2021_DJI_MAVIC_MINI_2.webm
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiNorth_American_power_transmission_grid#mediaFile:NERC-map-en.svg
https:commons.wikimedia.orgwikiFile:UnitedStatesPowerGrid.jpg
https:www.istockphoto.comphotoelectric-power-station-substation-stock-photo-electricity-substation-gm1298544311-391383095
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockaerial-drone-view-of-tall-chimney-pipes-with-grey-smoke-from-coal-power-plant-production-of-electricity-with-fossil-fuel-ecology-and-pollution-of-nature-s5gg8f4ddkofsuqfc
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockhand-puts-a-power-plug-in-the-wall-socket-sbqmz8njfjfvyqepd
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostocknatural-gas-field-in-winter-r1z1ymkqmjf08y3kj
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockclose-up-shot-of-the-spillway-and-power-lines-on-the-grand-coulee-hydroelectric-dam-washington-usa-cu-01mov-n6ixxxa
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockair-conditioner-operating-4uc-u_p_lijs9m5jc
https:commons.wikimedia.orgwikiFile:2003_North_American_Blackout_After.jpg
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockwind-turbine-working-rifjaijpoliyvy84qn
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiFile:Lisberg_Burg_Windr%C3%A4der_Solar_power_PC313027.jpg
https:commons.wikimedia.orgwikiFile:Schneebergerhof_01.jpg
istockphoto.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron_light_source#/media/File:SynchrotronLight.jpg
http://cds.cern.ch/record/2028199/plots
There are some captivating things when you look up at the night sky, but our location in the Milky Way may be fogging up our view.
Hosted By: Reid Reimers
SciShow is on TikTok! Check us out at tiktok.com/@scishow
----------
Support SciShow Space by becoming a patron on Patreon: patreon.com/SciShowSpace
----------
Huge thanks go to the following Patreon supporter for helping us keep SciShow Space free for everyone forever: GrowingViolet, Jason A Saslow, Heriberto Bustos!
----------
Like SciShow? Want to help support us, and also get things to put on your walls, cover your torso and hold your liquids? Check out our awesome products over at DFTBA Records: dftba.com/scishow
----------
Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet?
SciShow Tangents Podcast: scishowtangents.org
Facebook: facebook.com/scishow
Twitter: twitter.com/scishow
Instagram: instagram.com/thescishow
----------
Sources:
https:energy.utexas.edusitesdefaultfilesUTAustin%20%282021%29%20EventsFebruary2021TexasBlackout%2020210714.pdf [PDF]
https:acore.orgwp-contentuploads202107GS_Resilient-Transmission_proof.pdf [PDF]
https:infrastructurereportcard.orgcat-itemenergy
https:www.energy.govsitesprodfiles201512f28united-states-electricity-industry-primer.pdf [PDF]
https:docs.txoga.orgfiles2644-4-22-21-enverus_txoga_winter-storm-uri-natural-gas-analysis.pdf [PDF]
https:www.energy.govsitesprodfilesoeprodDocumentsandMediaDOE_SG_Book_Single_Pages%281%29.pdf [PDF]
https:www.texastribune.org20210216natural-gas-power-storm
https:www.texastribune.org20210220texas-power-grid-winterize
https:www.forbes.comsitesjemimamcevoy20210527report-finds-hundreds-more-died-in-texas-winter-storm-than-state-says?sh=33ec43e152cc
https:www.eia.govtodayinenergydetail.php?id=35652
https:newbedev.comwhat-happens-to-excess-electricity-generated-going-in-to-a-grid
https:ready.nola.govhazard-mitigationhazardsinfrastructure-failure-power-outage
https:spectrum.ieee.orgbird-poop-can-cripple-power-grids
https:www.tdworld.comintelligent-undergroundingarticle20971838flooding-and-underground-cables-myth-or-reality
https:energyconsumersofthecarolinas.orgbury-our-electric-lines-easy-question-complicated-answer
https:www.kosu.orgu-s-news2021-09-20efforts-to-shore-up-the-electrical-grid-could-mean-moving-power-lines-underground
https:www.utilitydive.comnewsutilities-need-to-harden-the-grid-as-they-green-it-consumers-arent-ready595719
https:www.utilitydive.comnewssophisticated-hackers-could-crash-the-us-power-grid-but-money-not-sabotag603764
https:foreignpolicy.com20210210is-germany-making-too-much-renewable-energy
https:www.greentechmedia.comarticlesreadgermanys-stressed-grid-is-causing-trouble-across-europe
https:www.reuters.comarticleus-utilities-sandiego-blackoutinsight-power-reliability-will-cost-americans-more-idUSTRE78C4UG20110913
https:www.businessinsider.comreplacing-the-us-electric-grid-could-cost-5-trillion-2017-3
https:environment-review.yale.edutrue-cost-power-outages-0
https:www.sciencenewsforstudents.orgarticleexplainer-what-electric-grid
IMAGES
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiFile:HOUSTON_TEXAS_WINTER_SNOW_STORM_OF_2021_DJI_MAVIC_MINI_2.webm
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiNorth_American_power_transmission_grid#mediaFile:NERC-map-en.svg
https:commons.wikimedia.orgwikiFile:UnitedStatesPowerGrid.jpg
https:www.istockphoto.comphotoelectric-power-station-substation-stock-photo-electricity-substation-gm1298544311-391383095
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockaerial-drone-view-of-tall-chimney-pipes-with-grey-smoke-from-coal-power-plant-production-of-electricity-with-fossil-fuel-ecology-and-pollution-of-nature-s5gg8f4ddkofsuqfc
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockhand-puts-a-power-plug-in-the-wall-socket-sbqmz8njfjfvyqepd
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostocknatural-gas-field-in-winter-r1z1ymkqmjf08y3kj
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockclose-up-shot-of-the-spillway-and-power-lines-on-the-grand-coulee-hydroelectric-dam-washington-usa-cu-01mov-n6ixxxa
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockair-conditioner-operating-4uc-u_p_lijs9m5jc
https:commons.wikimedia.orgwikiFile:2003_North_American_Blackout_After.jpg
https:www.storyblocks.comvideostockwind-turbine-working-rifjaijpoliyvy84qn
https:en.wikipedia.orgwikiFile:Lisberg_Burg_Windr%C3%A4der_Solar_power_PC313027.jpg
https:commons.wikimedia.orgwikiFile:Schneebergerhof_01.jpg
istockphoto.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron_light_source#/media/File:SynchrotronLight.jpg
http://cds.cern.ch/record/2028199/plots
