Fusion and Magnetic Reconnection Propulsion with Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi

Fusion and Magnetic Reconnection Propulsion with Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi

Author: John Michael Godier April 18, 2026 Duration: 33:54

To get your free 30 day trial visit https://www.audible.com/eventhorizon or text EventHorizon to 500-500.A new type of rocket thruster that could take humankind to Mars and beyond has been proposed by Fatima Ebrahimi a physicist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).The Plasma thruster would apply magnetic fields to cause particles of plasma, electrically charged gas also known as the fourth state of matter, to shoot out the back of a rocket and, because of the conservation of momentum, propel the craft forward. Current space-proven plasma thrusters use electric fields to propel the particles.The new concept would accelerate the particles using magnetic reconnection, a process found throughout the universe, including the surface of the sun, in which magnetic field lines converge, suddenly separate, and then join together again, producing lots of energy. Reconnection also occurs inside doughnut-shaped fusion devices known as tokamaks.The above text is from: New concept for rocket thruster exploits the mechanism behind solar flareshttps://www.pppl.gov/news/2021/01/new-concept-rocket-thruster-exploits-mechanism-behind-solar-flaresFatima Ebrahimi is a Principal Research Physicist at the PPPL Theory Department and an Affiliated Research Scholar at the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University. Dr. Ebrahimi received her Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003.Her research interests span from magnetically confined fusion plasmas to flow-driven plasmas, such as accretion disks. Her primary research experience has been in the field of theoretical and global-computational extended magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), with wide applications to astrophysical, laboratory and fusion plasmas.Also discussed is the ITER project, the international nuclear fusion research project to build a Tokamak reactor. Can we use fusion to create energy on earth?Want to support the channel?Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EventHorizonShowFollow us at other places!Website: https://www.eventhorizonshow.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmgeventhorizonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmgeventhorizon/Music featured on Event Horizonhttps://stellardrone.bandcamp.com/https://migueljohnson.bandcamp.com/https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/https://aeriumambient.bandcamp.com/FOOTAGE:NASAESA/HubbleESO - M.KornmesserESO - L.CalcadaESO - Jose Francisco Salgado (josefrancisco.org)NAOJUniversity of WarwickGoddard Visualization StudioLangley Research CenterPixabay


Curiosity about the cosmos often starts with a simple question, and that's where John Michael Godier's Event Horizon finds its rhythm. Hosted by author and futurist John Michael Godier, this podcast delves into the profound and the perplexing at the edges of our understanding. Each episode builds a narrative, weaving together discussions on astronomy, astrophysics, and the latest space science news with broader themes of technology, history, and futurism. The conversations are grounded by special guests who bring expertise and diverse perspectives, turning complex ideas into engaging explorations. You'll find the dialogue moves from the concrete details of scientific discovery to the speculative implications for our future, all with a thoughtful and accessible tone. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep dive into the context and consequences of what we're learning about the universe. For anyone who looks up at the night sky and wonders about black holes, the potential for life elsewhere, or where our technology might take us next, this podcast offers a compelling space to linger on those big ideas. The production emphasizes clarity and depth, making even the most daunting topics feel within reach. Tune in for a regular journey to the frontiers of science and human thought.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

John Michael Godier's Event Horizon
Podcast Episodes
Are There Alien Artifacts in Our Solar System? with Dr. James Benford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
Von Neumann probes, self-replicating spacecraft, or Alien lurkers and alien artifacts all represent the idea that somewhere in our solar system there could be evidence of an alien civilization and that they may have been…
Why Humans Will Never Colonize Mars with Gizmodo’s George Dvorsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:50
George Dvorsky says in his article 'Humans Will Never Colonize Mars' on Gizmodo that,“The suggestion that humans will soon set up bustling, long-lasting colonies on Mars is something many of us take for granted. What thi…
A Quantum Beginning for a Two-Sided Universe with Dr. Neil Turok [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:56
How did it all begin? How did this universe in which we live come to be? The story begins in the early 20th century with Georges LeMaitre who originated the concept that an expanding universe could be extrapolated back t…
Looking for the Origin of our Universe with Dr. Brian Keating [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
John Michael Godier and Brian Keating discuss the experiment he designed to look at the physics of the big bang as well as why he rushed releasing his findings.Brian Keating is a professor of physics and author of Losing…
Why is Betelgeuse Dimming? With Dr. Edward Guinan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
Why is Betelgeuse dimming? Is Betelgeuse about to explode? Betelgeuse is a variable red super giant star located in the Orion constellation. Most estimations have it going supernova within the next 100,000 years, but cou…
Will Human Civilization End? with Dr. David Grinspoon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:26
How Long Will Human Civilization Last? When did the Anthropocene start?Looking for life on Europa and Pluto, do ice shell worlds have a better chance for life than terrestrial worlds?Dr. David Grinspoon is an Astrobiolog…
Cold Quasars: The Death of Galaxies with Dr. Allison Kirkpatrick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
What are quasars?Are Black Holes Really Black?Dr. Allison Kirkpatrick, astrophysicist at the University of Kansas, recently announced her discovery of cold quasars a new object in the field of astronomy — galaxies featur…
Why Pluto is a Planet with Dr. Alan Stern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:45
A discussion with New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern of the mission to explore Pluto and if Pluto can support life. As well as his thoughts on NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine’s recent statement that Pluto…