In 1609 Galileo modified a three-powered spy glass; although Galileo did not invent the first telescope, his high quality modifications were well known and very popular. His alterations helped clarify the idea that the earth and planets revolve around the sun as opposed to the other way around. This powerful telescope, for its time, also helped astronomers see that there was a vast universe with a myriad of stars just waiting to be discovered (“The First Telescopes”). Just as Columbus’s discoveries of the new world influenced countries to explore into the “new world,” the American continent, there are countless of new worlds in outer space waiting for humanity to discover. With advancing technology and more knowledge so much more is possible. However, many do not find astronomy or space exploration important or necessary calling it “propaganda designed to separate [one] from [their] tax dollars.” The fact that there are other daunting challenges when it comes to astronomy or any related studies, such as funds, support, or disasters, may discourage people on from supporting space exploration and astronomy (Rose). Although when it comes to the adventure of outer space and the resources acquired along the way, obstacles can become obsolete and new portals of information can be opened to humanity inspiring new inventions and minds, finding ways to understand planet earth, and assuring that humanity has a future in the universe. Thus it is important for humanity to have a foot in the door of the Universe. Astronomy and other space related fields have always looked for new ways to advance, which can be traced to Galileo improving the telescope and further back when the first humans would look up at the sky and wonder. Flash forward a ... ... middle of paper ... ... EU”). As an answer to the recession, the space industries could create more jobs as opposed to dissipating them. “When enough people support an idea they will find a way to make it a reality” which has been demonstrated in the past by the Apollo missions and the discovery of new technologies (Moser and Spangenburg 99). There will always be a desire to discover no matter how stagnant or impossible events may seem. So long as there is a will, there will be a way. But with space exploration new information will inspire the human spirit or discovery from projects such as the Hubble images which are provided for public viewing around the world and a new understanding of earth and how to preserve it will arise, and assuring that humanity has a future in the universe, that is, if the desire to explore the final frontier does not vanish (Moser and Spangenburg 73).
Galileo Galilei (Physicist, Scientist, Mathematician) – He is the 7th most influential people in history. He was often called as Galileo and was born on February 15, 1564 in Pisa, Dutche of Florence, Italy. Galileo is an Italian physicist, engineer, astronomer, mathematician and philosopher. During the Renaissance Period, he played an important part on the scientific revolution. He is called as the Father of Physics, Science and Observational Astronomy. Galileo’s father was named Vicenzo Galilei who was a composer, music theorist and a lutenist. And his mother was named Giulia Ammannati.
After reading this letter I feel that Galileo had a very opinionated outlook on life and was heavily involved in a struggle for freedom of inquiry. Galileo was a person who had many strong beliefs and would not let people or a document have a say in what he believes.
...easing population. Such research could include the search for other Earth-like planets in the galaxy. Already, NASA’s Keplar telescope has discovered three other planets capable of supporting life (Mike). Without expansion into outer space, humans might eventually destroy themselves as a result of a strain on resources, or infighting over land. This is the direction of aerospace research.
...vercome, there is more of a chance to capture such great discoveries. People need to realize that if they never take the time to stop and look around, appreciate the small things in life, they might miss out on important details and or moments that the world has to offer. Scientist didn’t obtain their greatest discoveries by looking at the world with a closed mind. During the months of September through Novemeber, the leaves start to fall off the trees. It is obvious its fall, but what else is occurring? Gravity. Albert Einstein discovered gravity by watching and ordinary object fall. At that moment he became a scientific unscrupulous observer.
More cost effective modes of space transportation are completely necessary to make further exploration possible. One new, cost effective design is the aerospaceplane. These spacecrafts are totally reusable and can take off and land like a normal plane (Booth 80). Anything reusable cuts costs. Many commercial spaceflight companies are interested in this design because so much money can be saved. There are also military uses for aerospaceplanes, just a few of these extremely fast and efficient vehicles could replace fleets of regular bombers (80). Another cost effective option for space travel is the solar sail. Solar sails work because solar photons have pressure that pushes the sail away from the sun (100). A spacecraft with a solar sail could reach Mars in the same amount of time it would take a rocket, so it is a cheap, renewable method of travel (100). This is exactly what we need to make it to Mars. It is cost-effective and works as well as any other propulsion system. There is still much farther to go in space. So much more to discover. At the speed of a current spacecraf it would take 80,000 years to reach the nearest star to Earth (108). How are we supposed to learn about other places when it would take about 2,000 generations of scientists before we could finally reach a star? Faster space travel is needed to make any new deep-space discoveries. There really are cost-effective options for space travel. Once we have
It is within man’s blood and nature to explore, and space is our next New World. Man’s first achievement in space travel was the launch of the Sputnik on October 4, 1957. For the next decades, space travel was roaring like a rocket, fueled by man’s desire to explore, man’s desire for knowledge, and man’s desire to beat his enemies. However, these impulses have died out as the well of government funding has been diverted to wars and debts, and the interest of the American people has been diverted to wars and debts. Amidst all these issues it is debated as to whether or not space travel is worth the money and the attention of scientists, particularly since humanity faces so many issues on earth currently. However, because of the past inventions, current services, and future benefits, space travel is indeed worth the money and attention of governments and people. It is within our hands to control man’s advancement, and space travel is the next venue to do so.
Whenever we watch movies about space, the movie tends to influence our perspective of what is out there in space and how things work. Because of people’s lack of knowledge, it is easy for them to accept what the movies or pictures present to them. Therefore, there are many misconceptions in astronomy of how things really work out in the universe. In Neil Comens’ book, Heavenly Errors, he pinpoints over 1600 misconceptions! For example, many people have several different theories of how the moon changes shape every night or why the stars twinkle in the night time sky.
Human fascination with the stars is as ancient as Babylonians and has been suggested to be older than Stonehenge. From “be fruitful and multiply” to “live long and prosper,” the instinct to protect and propagate the species has manifested in religion, art, and the imaginations of countless individuals. As human understanding of space treks out of the fantastical and into the scientific, the realities of traveling through and living in space are becoming clearer. Exploring, investigating, and living in space pose an expansive series of problems. However, the solutions to the problems faced by mankind's desire to reach beyond the horizon, through the night sky, and into the stars are solutions that will help in all areas of life on Earth.
Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought after learning about and exploring the universe. This yearning drove us to achieve such great things as the journey to the moon and the discovery of water on Mars. Nowadays, several people argue as to whether or not space exploration is worth the effort. I believe that it is humanity’s instinctual nature to pursue a better understanding of ourselves, and our universe. Further understanding of our universe will lead to the discovery of new technologies and ways to secure humanity’s survivability.
Some may think exploring outer space is simply a human’s curiosity. This is true but on the contrary, people explore to learn about things they may have never known and touch on the essence of the creation of the universe. Another reason for exploring this uncharted area is the technological advancements people have made and immense amount of innovation they have achieved in this field (Wood). Lastly, scientists study the other planets just in case one day humans need to relocate after overwhelming damage has been done to Earth. Suffice to say, it is a vital part of today’s day and age to research outer space (Rothery).
“Sheltered as we are by Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, which deflect lethal radiation from space, we are like coddled children who have never ventured into a tough neighborhood” (Folger 2). Humans have been fascinated with space since the beginning of our time. Just like children and rough neighborhoods, we have tackled obstacle over obstacle to make it home again. In the end, we have a better knowledge and strength than before. The future of space exploration can assist us in answering the everlasting question of how the universe came to be. The more we explore the infinite galaxies, the more we can scientifically discover and create new technologies as science advances. As we continue to discover, we can create new fields and occupations for aspiring young students like myself.
An Astronomy topic that has always been intriguing is space travel. The ability to rocket into space, look down on Earth, and “…explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before” (IMDB) is an adventure that people dream of experiencing. On July 20, 1969, an estimated six million people watched Neil Armstrong become the first man to walk on the Moon (Nixon Library). Presently, people are paying Virgin Galactic $250,000 to reserve a seat on a spaceship that is expected to tour suborbital space in the near future (Virgin Galactic). Although space travel continues to be of interest, there is also some controversy. Controversies include: the allocation of government resources for space exploration, government verses commercial spacecrafts, and the need to colonize other planets for the survival of humanity. The intrigue and the controversy of space travel are the reasons for this Astronomy conversation.
Galileo was probably the greatest astronomer, mathematician and scientist of his time. In fact his work has been very important in many scientific advances even to this day.
Many answers can come from exploring space. Getting a “few lumps of moon rock” can answer so many questions we asked ourselves for millennia. Can we truly belong in a place we do not know about? Space exploration will better us now and in the future for several reasons. The idea of travelling into the unknown has puzzled life since it could move.