Why do we spend so much of our time exploring the material aspects of space when they represent so little of the Universe? I think it is because the variety and evolution of the material part of the universe is evident to our five senses. But if all is an integrated whole then one could hypothesize that space(the void) too has more variety and is evolving although beyond our limited sensory perception. Perhaps the 'void' is more than just a stage on which the material universe plays out the story. Scientists have said that there is more zero point(potential?) energy in a small(several cubic centimeters) area of space than that contained in all of the material bodies of which we are aware. Do we need to begin to expand our search and look deeper into exploring the stage instead of focusing all of our efforts on the players?
Posted by: Jim in Astronomy on
Aug 07, 2008
The new Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will be creating a new picture of the entire heavens every 3 days. In the past the space artists, such as Bonstell, lead the way with intuitive renderings that helped to promote and popularize space. How will this role change in the age or tera and petra bytes of information? . Will the artists continue to lead or merely to render likenesses in dramatic fashion? I prefer the idea of leading and transparent watercolor to me is the best medium to do so
Posted by: Jim in Mars on
Jun 16, 2008
Is it important whether or not we find specific evidence of water on Mars? I think not. We have substantial evidence that Mars was once a planet that had quite a bit of water. So if we find water what would we do about it? What would it change in regards to our present space program or the pace of space exploration? I think nothing.
The fact that we successfully accomplished this part of the mission is probably more important than if we find water locked up in the form of ice on the planet. I think it was exciting but the recent U.S. Open and NBA Plyoffs got more television viewing and coverge time than this latest space venture.
So as a nation we must not share the common dream and aspiration for space exploration. In level of importance and interest it does not capture the minds and hearts of the majority of citizens. Herein lies the key issue to be addressed.
If it is that important then we need the leadership that can sell that vision. I think that it is the lack of these common visions of the future that is at issue here and not if we find or don't find water on Mars.
If we don't find water will it deter us from eventually going to the planet with a manned mission? No. So why did we spend so much money in pursuit of the water question? It beats me!
Posted by: Jim in X Prize, Moon on
May 20, 2008
AA recent article in Popular Mechanics covered the criteria and goals of the Moon X Prize. While interesting they do not require that the rover do any science which is one item that I think they left off of the qualifying critieria for winning the prize. Like the Apollo program they have overlooked the key element or reason for going to the moon which is to learn more about ourselves and our origins. If they had added the necessity for some type of meaningful and successful scientific experiment they would have increased the value of the effort and the prize expotentially. This is not to suggest that having an amateur or private group actually get a rover to the moon is not a challenge but with a science package on board it would have more depth and meaning.
Posted by: Jim in Moon on
May 18, 2008
A recent article in Popular Mechanics discussed the idea of private property rights for the Moon. I for one am in favor as it has been shown historically that it enhances progress and protection. The individual has always been the primary force behind development and protection. Wheter it is in hte arts or sciences the individual comes first as he or she has the internal creative power and built in moral imperative that has seen to best address the needs of new territiores and discoveries. As my previous post regarding the greening of Mars indicates we need a new set of visions for space and privatizing the Moon is one of them. It is man's job to be both a developer and a steward and that does not end with the earth.
Posted by: Jim in Mars on
May 02, 2008
The Boston Globe has an interesting article about Percival Lowell, "The man who invented Mars." Ok, so Mars existed before Lowell ever peered through his telescope. But, the 19th Century Boston native contributed greatly to the public perception of the Red Planet. Lowell was obsessed with proving that there was intelligent life on Mars and was a great popularizer of his ideas, much to the dismay of the rest of the scientific community. His ideas and their future incarnations in Science Fiction carries influence into the modern world and NASA's history of Mars probes.
Worth the read:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/04/27/the_man_who_invented_mars/?page=full
Posted by: Jim in Mars on
May 01, 2008
While looking for life by 'following the water' strategy NASA reported this week that it has found what appears to be the indication of Dry Hot Springs on Mars. As a follow up to my last post this is an invitation to the obvious. If it once had water and perhaps life there is an even more compelling reason why an overall goal of 'Greening Mars' makes sense. To recreate a life sustaining system on a planetary scale is a goal well worth our capabilities. As stated in my previous post this project can do for our civilization what the Pyramids did for Egypt. It can define us and help us to regain our sense of creating value.
Posted by: Jim in Pyramids, Mars on
Apr 15, 2008
A recent article in Cosmos discussed the greening of mars. If we are looking for something of great value and magnitude that would get the world excited again about space it is just such a project. If we can green a planet perhaps we can learn enough to save and recover our own. For a world focused on 'industrialized consumptive destruction' this project, as a master project of a world wide Space Program, could turn the tide in thinking about priorities. Today we seem to think that it is a zero sum game. We either industrialize or we go green. (Or we pay lip service to going green!). I think it is not an either or proposition. We need a new capitalism and outlook that is not a competition between these two camps(business and Environmentalists) but rather a new and higher performing value centered approach that is a win/ win. A project like the greening of Mars should be promoted as it may represent to us(the world) today what the pyramids meant to the Egyptian civilization. It is something big enough and grand enough to fit what the human civilization is capable of achieving.
Posted by: Jim in NASA, Mars on
Mar 27, 2008
A recent article in Cosmos Magazine related the importance of a trip to Mars in the not too distant future. As they remarked NASA is working toward it but not on a plan that would see man set foot in the red planet in the next ten years. It further went on the suggest that the Mars Direct Plan, suggested by Zubrin, would provides some ideas on how to get their sooner. While it does I think it overlooks the obvious and that is the space ship that is already in orbit(and paid for!). As mentioned in other posts I suggest that we consider using the ISS as the way to jump start out interplanetary journey's.
Posted by: Jim in NASA, Military on
Mar 20, 2008
A recent article in Scientific American posed the threats to the world from the military use of space. I had just read another article in Foreign Affairs regarding the race to claim all or part of the Arctic. To me both of these situations have at their core the same faulty thinking. It comes from our human natur and it revolves around the age old strategies of 'Finite Thinking' and 'King of the Mountain'.
The thought that 'I must have more because I know that all resources are limited and I have to have the bigger share'is finite thinking. What history has taught is that this hoarding mentality will come back to haunt the hoarder. We need quite the opposite strategy and so does the world. We need to see that we get more and the world works better when we learn how to create more and share it in service to all. We succeed because we do not think in limited terms. With infinite thinking we all end up with more.
'King of the Mountain', or the high ground strategy proposed by military strategists over the world, is not appropriate for our next movements into space. Since we have run out of the high ground on earth we now move to space.(Little boys shooting down satellites to show off their prowess.) Where to from there? This is the question that needs to be asked. The civilized countries of the world need to see that this is the key question. The movement to ever higher ground over the centuries has just postponed our addressing this key question. That is why we can't get out of this endless(since the beginning of time) cycle of war caused by our greed, fear and military strategies from the animal kingdom.
In both cases the human race is operating in a way that is insane. To continue to follow flawed strategies and repeat the horrors of war is not the course that a mentally sound society follows. As human beings our greatest capacity(the one that seperates us from the rest of the creatures) is that of reasoning and creativity. We need to use these to see space and the artic as opportunties to develop a new way of moving forward more peacefully as a global civilization and not independent nationalistic bullies(with only the players in the role changing from historical period to historical period).
The arctic and outer space are both regions that have extreme conditions and are sensitive to incurrison by man. We must tread lightly and with respect. These are regions that should not be owned or annexed but rather appreciated for their inherent potential to help us understand ourselves.
One way of moving forward in Space and the Artic is to use the ISS as the International Post for going forward in outer space and the Artic. It lies between the two and should give us a constant perspective on our interdependent relationships here on earth. It seems to be in a perfect position to allow us to work together to add as much value for everyone in the world. Why not expand the ISS mission and its member countries? Why not use the ISS(since it is already in orbit and is in need of a mission) as both a launch pad and possbily a interplanetray space vehicle? This has been suggested before and ignored. In the end we must not allow space to be used as the new high ground for flawed finite thinking. It must become the place where once and for all the human race changed its course for the greater good.
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