Jim (my twin bro) and I are both amateur astronomers and we try to keep up with what NASA is working on. Yesterday we discussed the recent finding of water on Mars – a LOT of water on Mars – as in enough to flood the entire planet to a depth of 1.5 feet should it all melt.
https://www.space.com/ancient-water-icecaps-discovered-on-mars.html
What does it mean? Jim and I agree that it all but guarantees a manned mission to Mars – and probably a permanent colony in the near future. Jim IS a scientist – and he helps me think forward in the abstract. I almost always defer to him on scientific issues.
He has his son Eric’s name engraved on the rover going to Mars in 2020.
You can too – here is the website
https://mars.nasa.gov/participate/send-your-name/mars2020
I think it is quite likely that within +/- 10 years of 2030, we will have humans on Mars. Potable water is one of the largest problems for space travel – and we now know Mars has enough.
https://www.nasa.gov/content/nasas-orion-flight-test-and-the-journey-to-mars
Part two of this post began with our discussion of my previous climate post and how a colony on Mars may be our only hope as a species. Jim said, “maybe this time we will learn and make the proper corrections.” I hope that is the case as well, but I am not optimistic that human nature will ever change. As great as it is to have my childrens’ names going to Mars, I hope that our human (selfish) pride and (reckless) ambition never makes the trip to the red planet.
https://www.curbed.com/2017/2/21/14677494/tallest-buildings-under-construction-jeddah-tower
The Saudis have already shortened the proposed height for the Jeddah Tower from 1 mile to 1 kilometer. How ironic that it overlooks the Red Sea. The growth of Dubai and the other cities in Middle Eastern deserts is not sustainable in the long run. The problem? A lack of water.
https://images.app.goo.gl/cDZiFWA3geWC7K9T6
I suppose a skyscraper 1 kilometer just isn’t enough to satisfy our blind, reckless human ambition. Enter Japan, who has told Dubai, “Hey, hold my beer and watch this!”
I surmise money and overpopulation will replace language in the modern “Tower(s) of Babel”. What will happen to the desert cities when the Middle East runs out of oil? The majority of our societies believe that we will find solutions to the problems of the future. I am not so sure we will in enough time to save our planet. Mars may be the best hope for long term human survival as a species. I encourage everyone to take note of this young lady. I admire her for her courage and determination – I hope her generation is wiser than mine. Her name is Greta Thunberg. She has started a movement that we all should get behind.
http://time.com/5595365/global-climate-strikes-greta-thunberg/
I leave you with two songs – and a hope for the future.
https://genius.com/John-mellencamp-check-it-out-lyrics
https://genius.com/Sean-mcconnell-babylon-lyrics
Happy Memorial (Decoration) Day everybody. Remember those who paid the ultimate price – and listen for their whispers.