Happy Earth Day!
Its that time of year again where I take the extra time to correctly sort my recyclables (taking the corks out of the wine bottles will probably save the world right? do I even need to do that? surely it cant be that big of deal. fuck it, i’m leaving them in then) and pat myself on the back for a job well done, after all it’s the earth’s birthday today, Earth Day!.
I understand that she’s 2008 years old today… can you imagine! Well here are some of my favorites pictures taken of her in the last few.
#4 Pale Blue Dot
This is the “Pale Blue Dot” photograph of the Earth taken by the Voyager 1 spacecraft on July 6, 1990. The Earth is the relatively bright speck of light about halfway down the rightmost sunbeam. Estimates are it was taken over 4 billion miles from Earth.
#3 Reflections on Planet Earth
Taken from 300 kilometers above Earth. The picture is actually a self-portrait taken by astronaut Michael Fossum on July 8 during a space walk or extravehicular activity while the Discovery orbiter was docked with the International Space Station.
The snapshot taken by astronauts is one of the most widely distributed photographic images in existence. The image is one of the few to show a fully lit Earth, as the astronauts had the Sun behind them when they took the image. Taken on Dec 7th 1972 by the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft at a distance of about 29,000 kilometres or about 18,000 miles.
#1 Earthrise
Taken by Apollo 8 crewmember Bill Anders on December 24, 1968, showing the Earth seemingly rising above the lunar surface. Though it apparently only looks this way if you are orbiting the moon in a direction away from the earth.
But seriously this place is rotting and filling with maniacs, if you ask me or read what Stephen Hawking said yesterday at NASA’s 50th anniversary, it’s time the get the fuck off of her. Earth day my ass, the Earth will be just fine trust me, she’s dealt with a lot worse than us. It should be People of Earth day. We are the ones who I’m worried about.
Wednesday, April 23 at 8:49 am
Great Photos.
I agree with Parker and Professor Hawking – it’s hightime we blow this joint. Although I am usually 100% against non-essential Government Programs – space exploration remains my one exception. But this is probably because I am a huge Star Trek fan. I say fund it! Start by cutting those free lunch programs they have in urban elementary schools.
We gotta go. I’m concerned about those bizzare lights over Phoenix. Our space exploration technology also seems to be regressing – I think the Orion program is clear evidence of this – just look at the difference between between the current STS vehicle and the planned OP CEV. I mean c’mon!
Maybe we shouldn’t worry about it at all. It’s probably all gonna be over when they flip the switch on the Large Hadron Collider in June. Strangelets man, fear them. That’s how it was all supposed to end anyway – humanity destroyed by benevolent Swiss scientists – I could graciously accept that.
Wednesday, April 23 at 11:04 am
Im not sure about the OP CEV being a regression as much as a fix until we can get Project Prometheus or Medusa or some other nuclear propulsion systems in. My impression of these is that they are currently feasible, but the politics of nuclear research in space prohibits it.
Yes, the strangelets and the mini black holes that are supposed to rip through the earth “harmlessly”. Benevolent Swiss scientists my ass, they are playing GOD!
Thursday, April 24 at 4:51 pm
I believe a space program is essential. With it comes such a great wealth of knowledge and innovation, and just as important the curiosity of youth.
I walk home through Harvard yard to see activists with signs portraying a recycled water bottle strapped to a sign saying it wished it were recycled. Seriously, the earth is fucked so there are two scenarios a) everyone dies or b) we invest in space exploration and disallow all bottled water drinkers from participating.
I think I just solved it.
Thursday, April 24 at 4:51 pm
Oh, did I mention they’re not mutually exclusive?