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 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 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.
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