Why NASA'S New Telescopes Have Us Excited
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why NASA'S New Telescopes Have Us Excited

Or, preparing to meet our extraterrestrial neighbors.

20
Why NASA'S New Telescopes Have Us Excited
WIRED

NASA has announced the production of a new telescope with around 100 times the power of the Hubble Space Telescope, and the hope for this new telescope is that they might find evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Or maybe not specifically to discover other intelligent life—the purposes that NASA states on their website include the investigation of dark matter, dark energy, and the creation of the universe—but that's not to say we aren't always searching for other planets capable of supporting life anyway. When you think about it, our existence is kind of lonely; we're the only kids on our block, and we haven't found anyone else to talk to about anything. It doesn't even matter if we like the same things: after years and years of isolation, I think maybe as a species we're eager and anxious to find, like Tarzan says, strangers like us.

Speculative fiction has both warned and encouraged us about pursuing a relationship with other intelligent life. Ray Bradbury's “Martian Chronicles” are short stories about the dangers of any attempt to colonize a new world—why doing so would be, ultimately, a poor decision on mankind's part, and how we can't know that any alien life we find would be nearly as receptive towards us as we want to be towards them. Meanwhile, we're encouraged to if not interact with (as it'd be a violation of the Prime Directive) then at least observe alien life when hanging out with Captain Kirk.

So we're finally reaching a point where maybe at least knowing that we're not alone is possible. Here are a few things to consider when we meet new life, if sci-fi has taught us anything.

1. We might not be able to understand them.

Maybe an ear bug will have been created, and we'll be able to communicate a little bit, but we can't assume we'll be able to do much. We might not even look alike, so pantomiming might not work, either.

2. They could be really, really, ridiculously good looking.

In which case, we'd have to worry about dribbling our coffees all over ourselves like we do when suddenly confronted with our unattainable objects of affection. In this case, it's no different from meeting a hot traveler who speaks a language you don't understand. Who hasn't been there?

3. They could be really, really, ridiculously unattractive.

I'm talking eggmen. I'm talking tentacles. I'm talking any of the aliens in the Mos Eisley Cantina in “Star Wars.” Don't stare.

4. They might not know anything about their own culture and history.

Or maybe that's a distinctly American thing. I know if you asked the average Science Man about the Whiskey Rebellion, he might not actually know what you're talking about. In any case, we can't assume that the average Extraterrestrial will know about plant biology from back home.

5. They could try to kill us.

But, LMAO, what doesn't, am I right? Even on our own planet, there are over 1,000 ways to die, and a lot of them come from other species.

We have evidence to support the hypothesis that, at one point, Mars may have sustained life. Unfortunately for us, that evidence points to bacteria (gross, but also pretty basic and known for surviving The Worst climates ever) or various strains of fungus (which, admittedly, wasn't found on Mars, but was able to survive Mars--like climates in a controlled laboratory setting—and Massachusetts over the past weekend). Some people think that Jupiter's moons might have some kind of marine life living under their ice-encrusted surfaces. Even if that's the case, until we figure out a long-term solution to radiation sickness, we're probably not going to be vacationing on Ganymede.

In any case, there's not a lot of intelligent life in our solar system—or, at least, life we can talk to because that whole “humans are intelligent” supposition is debatable—so our only hope now is to reach outside. Even if we do find life on another planet, the chances of us reaching them within our lifetime is slim, though NASA has allegedly been working on a “warp drive” not unlike the one in Star Trek, and maybe seeing that there's life out there will convince people that space travel is important.

That being said, maybe First Contact will happen in this century. I know I'm looking forward to meeting some Vulcans.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

44703
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28172
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952863
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

154881
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments