Will We Ever Get There?
Every time I look at the stars, I wonder if we will ever get there. It seems unlikely. Is our lifespan too short or are we simply snookered by distance?
Alpha Centauri, our closest neighbor outside our own solar system, is almost four and a half light-years away. This means that if we could travel at one tenth of the speed of light - and we cannot even remotely - it would still take us 45 years to get there. That is 90 years for the return trip with no time for any sight seeing. Few of us will outlive the entire journey.
If we were to attempt to make the journey with one of the space shuttles, it would take 135,000 years just to get there. However, hitching a ride with one of the Voyagers seems to be a better bet. The one-way trip will only take 75,000 years. Alas, we just don’t live long enough to do it.
When we look at our current technology, it seems unlikely that we will get there first and then we don’t even know if Alpha Centauri has any habitable planets. The single planet discovered so far orbiting that star is far too hot to support life as we know it. Life, as we know it, may be much further away.
Therefore, it seems a much safer bet to wait until those little green men arrive here but I not sure if ‘safer’ is the right word. If these beings arrive here, they may not be that well disposed towards us. If they display the same imperialism as our earlier European powers, we’re going to be in for a rough ride. How would you fancy having to perform slave labor on a Drakonian farm? Aliens may even have a taste for long pig… also known as human meat.
Then, on the other hand, maybe those on the other side are sitting with the same problems. It may explain the lack of any real evidence regarding ‘visits’ to our planet for all we had so far are rumors and conspiracy theories. One such theory has it that the far side of the moon is infested with aliens and that the Americans had been warned off the moon; that is why they’re no going there any more!
And I don’t know why everybody just assumes that intelligent extra-terrestrial life has to be humanoid. Maybe when they get here, they will simply proceed with their journey after failing to find intelligent life!
Have a great day and don't go flying too far
Comments (55)
Wanna lift Catfoot??
Can one trust somebody flying in a spaceship? My mum told me not to.
That being said, last week it was reported that for the first time ever scientists had succeeded in instantly teleporting a sub-atomic particle, both to a specific targeted location where measuring tools were waiting for it, and more than just a few centimeters away. Thirty feet or so if I remember the article properly. Yep, it is a baby step..
Also we have faster engines these days. We have a ship that just went up and pierced the Van Allen Belt and is now back with information about radiation counts. Shielding humans from gamma radiation is a big problem on something that has to be pushed by rockets. Shielding is heavy so the more shielding you add, the more fuel and rocket you need. Totally separate from the other life support issues involved. We are working on AI robots to pilot the ships. Human embryos implanted into frozen cow bellies and other long trip tricks are being studied. It may someday happen, but I would not expect the first colony ship to be making a round trip. More like a one-way journey. Casting our seed out to other worlds.
I will close my eyes and trust you all the way
Don't worry, aliens will land here to find how intelligent we are. They see from far what a crazy bunch Earthlings are and they change their course.
Good to see you and read your thoughts.
As usually an interesting response.
A question though.
Not very nice to send people on one way trips. Foe one, we'll never know how we were received on the distant planet. For all we know, we may just be sending them samples of what is on the menu when they come here.
No, I have not been gazing stars or doing any interstellar traveling lately. I have not been well for a while but I'm better now. My health is going to be my undoing the way it is going since last year.
As for the aliens; they may see us no different than a colony of ants.
there is a subtle difference. You may get a return message from Alpha Centauri.
I like having my mind boggled.
I don't think we'll get there. Here it is 2014, and we don't even have our flying cars yet.
I'm so disappointed.
Yep, our science fiction writers of the 50s and the 60s had it all wrong. They all predicted flying cars and regular scheduled interstellar flights but none of them foresaw the development of the computer.
Never had an urge to get to the stars. Sometimes, in the still of the night, I love gazing at them, disappearing into my own world, dreaming...
'n Nooi so na aan my hart. I'd prefer to gaze at the stars in your eyes.
It must be the season of giving! A whole super size chomp to eat all by myself! But I'll give you a bite if you promise to take just a wee bite.
How can something so bright give no light?
I was thinking about you lately. I thought maybe some "cutie" came along and kidnapped your heart!
Anyhow, I hope you are feeling much better now.
Easy my friend.
The light is snookered by distance.
No. My heart is still at the same place. It is my health that kept me away. But I'm much better now. Thank you.
It is nice to see you back with a new blog.
Here is my pipe dream....instead of focusing on all this selfish/destructive behavior with the whole planet....if we ALL pulled together to advance ourselves using celestial exploration; hence, increasing our knowledge.
As for your question, "will we ever get there"....I think we will. It might be a few generations from now, but I think some people have a will to make it there. "Where there is a will, there is a way."
Hiya Cat, hope you're keeping well.
Looks like 2015 will be good.
Anywhere you want to arrive in 2015?
Please take care of yourself and treat yourself gently.
Sorry Cat for the hi-jack.
I have found that where there is a will there is an argument especially if there are a few controversies in the last will of the deceased.
Thank you. I'm so much better since seeing you again.
But of course we're talking about the chomp. What else could I share with you.
Aw sweet. I feel so much better already.
You won't believe the arguments that I have witnessed regarding my grandfather's will. Now, 30 years later, there is still bad blood about it.
I come from a very large family and I have already told all my brothers and sister that I do not want anything after my parents pass. I can see it right now what is going to happen.
The only role I would like to play in the end of my parents' life is that their best interests are fulfilled.
It is something how when your parents or grandparents pass and their life becomes second to one's own self interest.
At a time like that we should mourn the death of a loved one; not fight about his will. After all, it was his money and he could give it to whoever he wanted.
It worked for them, cant see why it wouldnt work for us.
What do you mean that was just a TV show?
Didnt we see man land and walk on the moon on a TV show.
Keep it up, you will feel a lot better.