Exploring the Cosmos: Distant Galaxies, Dark Matter, and Our Place in the Universe with Dan Coe

If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s out there, or why it matters, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Dr. Dan Coe, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins’ Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) to talk about the origins of the universe, the search for extraterrestrial life, dark matter, and the role of AI in space science. We also explore something even bigger: how to find meaning in a universe where we often feel small.

At STScI—the operational home of both the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes—Dan helps unlock some of the deepest cosmic mysteries. He splits his time between studying distant galaxies with his team, Cosmic Spring, and supporting fellow astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRSpec instrument.

Our conversation began at STScI’s mission control and ended over beers at a local pub. Throughout, Dan brought not just insight, but kindness—a trait that turns out to be a theme in both his science and his worldview. Learn more about his work here.