The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour
Episode: The Year in Physics: 2025
Date: January 23, 2026
Host: Scott Bertram
Guest: Dr. Paul Hosmer, Chairman and Associate Professor of Physics, Hillsdale College
Overview
In this special "Year in Physics" episode, host Scott Bertram is joined by Dr. Paul Hosmer to review and discuss the landmark developments, persistent mysteries, and practical advancements in the field of physics throughout 2025. The conversation spans from cosmic events like interstellar objects and asteroid threats to the technical frontiers of particle physics and dark matter, as well as significant progress in applied physics areas such as quantum computing and medical technology. The episode balances accessibility and enthusiasm, providing a curated tour of the year's most important and intriguing discoveries.
Main Topics & Key Insights
1. Reflections on 2025: Another Notable Year for Physics
[01:19–02:14]
- Dr. Hosmer frames 2025 as "another really great year in physics," highlighting the field’s continuous success since Newton's Principia in 1687.
- Major themes: validation of powerful theories, tantalizing discrepancies, innovative applications, and the importance of global defense systems.
Quote:
"Physics is a really exciting science. There's always really neat things going on. ... We had some really powerful theories confirmed. Tantalizing discrepancies persist, which are always exciting. Neat applications are coming into view, and also global defense systems tested, which I think is really important."
— Dr. Hosmer [01:42]
2. Interstellar Object: ‘3I Atlas’ and the Welcome Visitors from Deep Space
[02:14–04:03]
- 3I Atlas is only the third interstellar object observed in our solar system (after the first in 2017, and second in 2019).
- The increase in detection rate is credited to more sensitive observation systems, partly established for near-Earth asteroid defense.
- Brief windows exist for study as these objects pass rapidly through the solar system.
Quote:
"These are little messengers that we get to study. Now it's moving very fast, it's not going to be here very long. And so we don't have a lot of time to study it. But while it's here, it's really exciting."
— Dr. Hosmer [03:50]
3. 'City Killer' Asteroids and Near-Moon Impact Worries
[04:03–06:26]
- Addressing the 2025 asteroid that briefly appeared to have up to a 4% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032, creating public concern.
- The risk was downgraded to zero for Earth, but a 4% chance remains for a possible Moon impact at 10:19 am, December 22, 2032.
- Even a Moon impact is unlikely to have major effects, though dust and debris could reach Earth orbit.
Quote:
"We know if it does hit the Moon, it would happen at about 10:19am on Wednesday, December 22, 2032. So put that on your calendars."
— Dr. Hosmer [05:27]
4. Review: Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Endurance of the Standard Model
[06:26–08:35]
- The LHC at CERN continues to confirm the Standard Model of particle physics with ever-more demanding tests—including rare decays of top/bottom quarks and Higgs bosons.
- New physics remains elusive, but the confirmation of predictions is, in a way, both reassuring and frustrating for researchers wishing for paradigm-shifting discoveries.
Quote:
"Generally speaking, the standard model predictions in these very obscure almost decays in events has been confirmed. And so the standard model continues to survive these really stringent tests that the LHC is doing on it."
— Dr. Hosmer [08:27]
5. The Neutron Lifetime Puzzle: Discrepancies and Possible Breakthroughs
[08:35–11:35]
- The neutron, stable within atomic nuclei, decays in about 15 minutes when free—but two leading measurement methods disagree by about 10 seconds, a significant and long-lasting discrepancy.
- Possible sources: unknown systematic errors or genuinely new physics (like interactions with dark matter).
Memorable Moment:
"Physicists really like to find discrepancies or problems with our models. ...We'd be really excited if we found that it failed. Unfortunately, we keep finding that it succeeds."
— Dr. Hosmer [10:28]
6. Ongoing Dark Matter Search: New Techniques, Persistent Mystery
[11:35–14:46]
- No direct detection of dark matter in 2025, but each null result narrows down possibilities.
- Creative detection proposals: using ultra-sensitive detectors originally intended for other purposes; looking for dark matter effects in planetary rotations or through variations in star "twinkling".
- Cross-disciplinary serendipity—experiments yield useful constraints despite not achieving original detection goals.
Quote:
"We didn't detect the thing that we wanted, but surprise, we just created a really sensitive dark matter detector, and we can eliminate certain possibilities for dark matter."
— Dr. Hosmer [13:15]
7. Supermassive Black Hole Discovery in the Large Magellanic Cloud
[15:49–17:42]
- Indirect detection via observation of hypervelocity stars (stars ejected at extreme speeds)—some apparently originating from the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
- Suggests even small galaxies, contrary to expectations, might have supermassive black holes at their centers.
Noteworthy Observation:
"I think it's a neat picture to think about...this beautiful, peaceful, nearby dwarf galaxy, but it actually, it's hurling these extremely fast stars in our direction..."
— Dr. Hosmer [17:19]
8. Earth's Magnetic Poles: Ongoing Drift and the Question of Pole Reversal
[17:42–20:58]
- Rapid movement of the magnetic north pole, increasing in speed; now moving about 30 miles per year toward Siberia.
- While pole flips have happened in Earth's history, no evidence suggests one is imminent.
- A full collapse or flip would affect navigation, animals, and Earth's radiation shielding, but would likely occur over thousands of years.
Balanced Assessment:
"If the collapse reversal is going to happen, that's on the timeframe of thousands of years. So we won't be here long term."
— Dr. Hosmer [20:53]
9. Practical Advances: Quantum Computing, Nuclear Clocks, and Medical Physics
[21:10–22:58]
- Quantum computing grows in real-world relevance; Nobel Prize awarded for advancements in quantum effects in electrical circuits.
- The introduction of nuclear clocks with precision surpassing atomic clocks, critical for GPS and research.
- Progress in nuclear fusion and innovative treatments like proton and muon therapy in medicine.
Quote:
"There's been incremental, you know, movement in terms of solving engineering problems with nuclear fusion. ...developments with proton therapy...and muon beams...and so things like that...look really exciting and could be very beneficial for humanity."
— Dr. Hosmer [22:18]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the joy of curious anomalies:
"So we were talking about the LHC and how it was confirming the standard model, and you might think those kind of confirmations are really exciting, but actually it's rather frustrating when things turn out the way that we expect...Physicists really like to find discrepancies..."
— Dr. Hosmer [10:16] -
On the stakes of asteroid hazards:
"It's concerning enough that, you know, there's been discussion of whether we should try to interdict this in the meantime. But how worried should we be? It's not going to hit the Earth. And so that's good news."
— Dr. Hosmer [06:16] -
On scientific progress and serendipity:
"Any one of these kind of dark matter searches that fails tells us something about what dark matter is not."
— Dr. Hosmer [12:27] -
On the public fascination with possible catastrophes:
"Yes. So we've talked about death from above, and let's talk about death from below."
— Dr. Hosmer, transitioning to magnetic pole subject [17:58]
Timeline of Key Segments
- Reflections and Overview — [01:19–02:14]
- 3I Atlas / Interstellar Object — [02:14–04:03]
- Asteroids & "City Killer" Headlines — [04:03–06:26]
- Large Hadron Collider/Standard Model — [06:26–08:35]
- Neutron Lifetime Problem — [08:35–11:35]
- Dark Matter Search — [11:35–14:46]
- Supermassive Black Hole in LMC — [15:49–17:42]
- Earth's Magnetic Poles — [17:42–20:58]
- Practical Advances — [21:10–22:58]
- Concluding Thoughts — [22:58–23:15]
Conclusion
This episode offers a rich summary of physics in 2025—a year marked by continued confirmation of fundamental theories, persistent cosmic puzzles, technological creativity, and the ongoing promise of practical applications. Dr. Hosmer's style blends clarity with genuine enthusiasm, making complex developments accessible and highlighting both the thrill of discovery and the value of what we do not find. The year’s stories, from asteroids narrowly missing Earth to quantum leaps in technology, illustrate the healthy blend of caution, curiosity, and creativity that defines modern physics.