04-09-2015, 06:42 AM
What's the point?
Galileo's discovery that the earth revolves around the sun didn't have immediate impacts other than to cause him trouble with the church, but it would be hard to argue against how it helped change the way we humans view our place in the universe today. And the effect of that if not infinite, is certainly in the billions and billions.
More recently, the discovery of exo-planets points to the possibility that we may not be the only form of life in the universe. If there are other life forms, think of the implications for us here on earth.
Asteroids? They're out there. All astronomy needs to do is discover one headed for earth, that we might divert. What price tag would you put on that? If the earth avoided an asteroid strike it sure would put a lot of food on the table, and possibly prevent some wars while we were all working together to save the planet. It's in the realm of possibility.
Galileo's discovery that the earth revolves around the sun didn't have immediate impacts other than to cause him trouble with the church, but it would be hard to argue against how it helped change the way we humans view our place in the universe today. And the effect of that if not infinite, is certainly in the billions and billions.
More recently, the discovery of exo-planets points to the possibility that we may not be the only form of life in the universe. If there are other life forms, think of the implications for us here on earth.
Asteroids? They're out there. All astronomy needs to do is discover one headed for earth, that we might divert. What price tag would you put on that? If the earth avoided an asteroid strike it sure would put a lot of food on the table, and possibly prevent some wars while we were all working together to save the planet. It's in the realm of possibility.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves