As it turns out, quite a number of my blog entries this particular weekend have delved into the field of science. Mostly up to this point, they focused on climate change. While I have tried actively not to be alarmist, it is difficult not to get alarmed over the news of record breaking heat waves spread out across the globe, and evidence of wildfires both big and intense enough that they are creating their own weather patterns. Wildfires now apparently are a thing in Europe, as they are raging in Portugal, Spain and France, while they are growing more intense in certain regions where they are far more common, particularly the southwestern United States, as well as in Australia.
However, perhaps it is time to shift gears a bit. After all, there are other realms in science that I have not yet mentioned, but have been meaning to do so. One area that particularly always opens up new realms of possibilities and wonder would be astronomy. And I have been meaning to post a blog entry about the very big news in that field that has hit earlier this month.
Recently, one of the biggest news stories would be the spectacular new images from the new massive James Webb Space Telescope. They are phenomenal. The clarity in details almost makes them put the old images from the Hubble Telescope to shame. The stars and galaxies seen come in various shapes and sizes, and with a crispness in detail that is rather astonishing - breathtaking, even - to behold.
I found this article (see link below) with the attached video clip above where astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the significance of the new images of space, which have already significantly enhanced our collective understanding of our own universe. It not only seemed worth sharing, but also gives us another reminder of just how magical science and technology can be. Yes, some of it can definitely be alarming, like the news science is revealing to us in regards to climate change. Yet, there are also news stories like this, when we discover more about the immensity of the universe itself, and our understanding expands along with these fantastic new images. Science can get us to do something that humans do best on this planet: to explore, to discover and, perhaps most importantly, to help us keep the childlike sense of wonder about our world and universe which I believe helps us stay young.
Enjoy!
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down JWST images released by NASA July 13, 2022 Neil deGrasse Tyson
https://www.thespaceacademy.org/2022/07/astrophysicist-neil-degrasse-tyson.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR1_BnUo4NM3Vna8IiLe4cy3Z-iKQF6IY_hj0bFV4zXSVZfBa8zTlFRij_Q
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