Our senses can only take us so far in understanding the world. But with the right tools, we can dig deeper. On this week's show, TED speakers take us through the looking glass, where we explore new frontiers.

Astronomers once gazed at the night sky and charted the stars using their naked eyes. Astrophysicist Emily Levesque describes how generations of telescopes have unlocked the wonders of the universe.

Many people think of Antarctica as desolate. But wildlife filmmaker Ariel Waldman says the coldest continent is brimming with invisible life — that can only be seen through microscopes.

Many psychedelic drugs are illegal in the U.S. But Rick Doblin says psychedelic-assisted therapy helps many patients get to the core of their trauma. 07:24

Science fiction author Charlie Jane Anders explains how the genre is a portal for us to imagine different ways of being human. She invites listeners into one new world with an excerpt from her work.