There were two interesting developments today in mankind’s quest to explore the universe, to seek out new life forms and civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. Two. In one day. Prior to the 20th century, barely the blink of an eye as history is measured, you might get one or two developments per century. That’s how much the pace has picked up.
Artist’s Rendition of Planet HD 106906
The first is that astronomers have discovered a planet (and they are discovering new planets all the time now, just like finding driftwood on a beach) that is a bit different than other planets, and is forcing them to rethink the rules about planets and solar systems.
Basically, this exoplanet is orbiting much farther out from its sun than we thought possible, i.e. way more distant than ex-planet Pluto. Cool. So, we’ll get a rethink, a redefining of the parameters outward, and the search will continue.
The universe is a huge place and, undoubtedly, filled with strange and marvelous things. This just increases their number, and their variety.
Some might not think that the other development has anything to do with space at all. But, all technology is interconnected. My astronomy professor at Glendale Community College, many years ago, pointed out to us why cameras kept getting better so fast – and this was before everybody had them on their phones. It’s because astronomers always need higher resolution, and they’ll pay any amount of money for it.
Anyway, a company in Japan that makes condoms has developed one that’s super thin, less than 1//6th the thickness of a human hair. Of course, their purpose is to make sex more pleasurable, sell a lot of condoms, and make money.
But their efforts have made solar sails a lot more feasible, bringing the day closer when we send ships, large enough to sustain a large group of human beings through several generations, out into space.
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