Universe, Our Next Home
by C:F Team on 10th September, 2010 at 2:42 PM CEST
As Neil Armstrong put his first foot down on the soil of the moon on July 21, 1969, he uttered the famous line "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". Almost 40 years on, needless to say that indeed mankind has explored much of the moon, the solar system and even beyond the Milky Way. And yet, we are coming to realize that what we have discovered is minuscule to the amount that is left to be discovered in eternity. Let's take a moment to watch this video of 3D Atlas of the known universe till today as it takes us to the boundaries of our cosmic horizon in space and time.
Imagine viewing a similar atlas of the universe 10, 20 or 30 years on. Taking a perspective on the future of universe exploration, we ask you in today's Weekly Hot Topic: How will universe exploration contribute positively to mankind's existence and imagination? What is your vision of the future of space exploration?
The universe out there that is yet to be discovered is indeed breathtaking, fascinating and beautiful beyond any words - it is constantly humbling and testing our imagination. In the recent interview with Big Think, the legendary theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking even remarked that "Our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain inward-looking on Planet Earth, but to spread out into space". In conjunction with our continued exploration of the universe, here are some space projects that are bringing us unimagined information across the entire universe.
Paranal Observatory of Very Large Telescope
Located on earth, in the dry region of Chilean desert, the European Southern Observatory conducts astronomical research through these ground-based telescope right from the earth. Consisting of 14 member European nations, scientists and astronomers continuously band together on cutting edge research on what's out there in the universe.
Hubble Space Telescope
Image Credit: Hubble Ultra Deep field by Wiki Commons
Launched in earth's orbit in 1990, Hubble space telescope sends to earth some of the breathtaking pictures of nebulae, galaxies and even supernovae.
Voyager Spacecraft Intersteller Mission
Image Credit: Trajectory of Voyager 1 and 2 Wikimedia Commons
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecrafts were first launched almost 33 years ago and right now they are journeying well into the heliosheath carrying all humanity's Golden Records, Earth's greetings to the Universe. By 2015, Voyager 1 is expected to reach the heliopause, the boundary of the Sun's solar wind. Can you imagine how will these collaboration on astronomical and space projects inspire us? Moving beyond the earth, can you imagine calling the entire universe your home? We invite you this week, to tell us your thoughts on the future of Universe exploration. Now, please use the comment box below and let us know your thoughts...
How will universe exploration contribute positively to mankind's existence and imagination? What is your vision of the future of space exploration?
Sayanee Basu | C:F staff
@Dan: Well Said Dan! "we realise that infinity itself is a concept that cannot be measured" many mind-boggling questions!
In fact, I would add on to say that going beyond the technology of exploring the universe, I believe the more we reach out, the more unifying and humbling effect it will have on the entire humanity.
I can't really explain as well as Carl Sagan did in his book "Pale Blue Earth", so I shall leave a quote from him that he wrote when Voyager 1 took a pic of the earth... a tiny dot :)
"That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives.
The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there — on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."
10th September, 2010 @ 3:32 PM CEST
Krste Kostoski | CF Chapters
And as i mentioned...yet again the hope is same size with the universe...infinite!! :):):)
13th September, 2010 @ 9:38 AM CEST
Saad Khan | Action team | CF Chapters
By 2015, Voyager 1 is expected to reach the heliopause, the boundary of the Sun's solar wind.
will it be able to withstand the heat :S or if i am on a wrong track can somebody please correct me. Secondly i am sure most of us are aware of the drakes equation. for those of you who arent please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D rake_equation.
At an individualistic level , i agree with a guy named Tim who wrote an article in 2007 as a review of Drakes Equation. Tim says
"WHICH is the more shocking proposition: that our galactic neighborhood is riddled with advanced alien civilizations? Or that we humans are a solitary beacon of intelligent life in a silent universe of almost incomprehensible vastness? "
so i believe that for any of the propositions to be true a lot more then just research and satellites are required. However if the first one is true, it can introduce of a whole new debate and will require mechanisms and procedures beyond the comprehension of a layman. The second proposition is the one that most of us live with and believe in. Which is the right one, only time can tell.
16th September, 2010 @ 6:15 PM CEST
Sayanee Basu | C:F staff
@Saad: Heliopause is the boundary of the solar system, that de marks the boundary of the Solar winds. So it's actually away from the Sun, rather than towards it. Maybe the last picture of the above article will give you a clearer view :) So, yeah... not for the heat, but let's hope the electrical and mechanical systems will still be functioning well to transmit the data back to earth form the Voyager!
Drake's equation is interesting Saad... I never knew this myself :)
"Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose."
~ J. B. S. Haldane
17th September, 2010 @ 2:57 AM CEST
Saad Khan | Action team | CF Chapters
drakes equation is indeed interesting and thank you sayanee for clearing out the voyager confusion :)
17th September, 2010 @ 6:43 AM CEST
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Dan Croitoru | C:F staff
Space has always been seen as a milestone in human exploration and development. The further we go, the more we understand the rules governing the World and the more we see, we realise that infinity itself is a concept that cannot be measured. By investigating the universe, we get to comprehend that we, humans, are a tiny part of something which is greater than the sum of parts.
What can we learn? The fundamentals of life as a base code which is embedded in everything and everywhere. All are connected and just a minor change in one part of the universe influences every part and also the entire structure as a whole. This makes me wonder...
Will we conquer other planets? I think we past the time when the main question was "If". Now we ask ourselves "when". It is clear that at the rate of development and population increase our home cannot hold us longer. What if in our conquers we encounter another civilization with same purposes or what if our Earth will be found appealing enough for other universe inhabitants? Just some food for thought...
10th September, 2010 @ 3:24 PM CEST