Here is a topic I have never discussed before; space exploration. Why now? - Because people are talking about it.
I also happen to be taking an astronomy course (36x30 minute lectures) basically to update my knowledge of astronomy; the last class was at Wayne State University (actually physics) in the late 1960s – much has happened since then.
The question being “argued” about is whether we should go back to the MOON or try for a human landing on MARS. My wife says why not do neither and spend the billions on something worthwhile for the people living on earth.
I disagree with her attitude to space exploration on a number of levels. The actual “quest” to explore space has led to many inventions that are used by us today (GPS?). It also is a necessity since “eventually” the SUN will die and humans will have to find another planet to live on. Yes, we are talking about BILLIONS of years but hey, it took BILLIONS of years to just get to where we are today so the sooner we start, the better unless you are a religious kook and think a god is in charge and somehow will take care of things for us – stupido!
My vote is to go back to the moon and establish a colony. Launching from the moon is MUCH easier than launching from earth because the moon has no atmosphere to overcome so no huge rockets to get us into space; just lift off and go.
Our solar system is basically dead and uninhabitable; landing on Mars would be basically worthless (my humble, uneducated opinion) since it would take a Herculean effort and a very long time. The only benefit would be to get us closer to the edge of our solar system which we need to cross to do some real exploration.
If we establish a living and growing presence on the moon we will discover many new tools needed for DEEP space exploration and maybe come closer to discovering the secrets of “time travel” which we will need to travel the VAST distances between galaxies.
The HUBBLE telescope in space is allowing us to see INTO THE PAST, as far as when the universe began. This is a hard concept to grasp but knowing that light travels at a constant speed (186,000 miles per second) the formation of the universe BILLIONS of years ago is just NOW reaching our telescopes. We are looking at the light produced BILLIONS of years ago; I know, mind blowing.
Anyway, I feel our generations can at least get us to the moon and establish a solid base from which we can go where no one has gone before. Landing on MARS would be worthless and time consuming and after all we only have a few billion years left before we have to leave our wonderful planet.
I also happen to be taking an astronomy course (36x30 minute lectures) basically to update my knowledge of astronomy; the last class was at Wayne State University (actually physics) in the late 1960s – much has happened since then.
The question being “argued” about is whether we should go back to the MOON or try for a human landing on MARS. My wife says why not do neither and spend the billions on something worthwhile for the people living on earth.
I disagree with her attitude to space exploration on a number of levels. The actual “quest” to explore space has led to many inventions that are used by us today (GPS?). It also is a necessity since “eventually” the SUN will die and humans will have to find another planet to live on. Yes, we are talking about BILLIONS of years but hey, it took BILLIONS of years to just get to where we are today so the sooner we start, the better unless you are a religious kook and think a god is in charge and somehow will take care of things for us – stupido!
My vote is to go back to the moon and establish a colony. Launching from the moon is MUCH easier than launching from earth because the moon has no atmosphere to overcome so no huge rockets to get us into space; just lift off and go.
Our solar system is basically dead and uninhabitable; landing on Mars would be basically worthless (my humble, uneducated opinion) since it would take a Herculean effort and a very long time. The only benefit would be to get us closer to the edge of our solar system which we need to cross to do some real exploration.
If we establish a living and growing presence on the moon we will discover many new tools needed for DEEP space exploration and maybe come closer to discovering the secrets of “time travel” which we will need to travel the VAST distances between galaxies.
The HUBBLE telescope in space is allowing us to see INTO THE PAST, as far as when the universe began. This is a hard concept to grasp but knowing that light travels at a constant speed (186,000 miles per second) the formation of the universe BILLIONS of years ago is just NOW reaching our telescopes. We are looking at the light produced BILLIONS of years ago; I know, mind blowing.
Anyway, I feel our generations can at least get us to the moon and establish a solid base from which we can go where no one has gone before. Landing on MARS would be worthless and time consuming and after all we only have a few billion years left before we have to leave our wonderful planet.
No comments:
Post a Comment