We in astrophysics we think of the universe all the time. So to us, Earth is just another planet. From a distance, it's a speck. And I'm convinced that if everyone had a cosmic perspective you wouldn't have legions of armies waging war on other people because someone would say, "Stop, look at the universe."

Doing what has never been done before is intellectually seductive, whether or not we deem it practical.

The press still thinks [global warming] is controversial. So they find the 1% of the scientists and put them up as if they're 50% of the research results. You in the public would have no idea that this is basically a done deal and that we're on to other problems, because the journalists are trying to give it a 50/50 story. It's not a 50/50 story. It's not. Period.

I bet most of the crowd does not know that there are six moons in the solar system bigger than Pluto.

Many people feel small because they're small and the universe is big, but I feel big.

For your own safety, do not ever tell an astrophysicist, I hope all your stars are twinkling.

Gamma rays are the sort of radiation you should avoid. Want proof? Just remember how the comic strip character "The Hulk" became big, green, and ugly.