2006-06-06 14:17:04 · 7 answers · asked by jordan_20@verizon.net 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The sky's the limit! Sorry, couldn't resist.
It really depends on what advances are made in physics and technology. Right now it looks like it would be very unlikely that man will ever leave the solar system. The reason for that is because it takes so much energy to push a craft at the speeds necessary to get anywhere in a decent amount of time. NASA recently launched a tiny, little probe to Pluto, which will take 10 years to arrive. To send a crew of people that far, a much larger craft would be needed to support the life systems, which means far more energy would be required to push it. The energy source would further increase the mass of the craft and increase the energy requirements, etc.
I think our best bet with "conventional" technology would be to send a suicide mission to Alpha Centauri (the next-nearest star). I don't know what the point would be of sending humans there, but it could be done over a period of maybe 100 years. The original astronauts might not make it, but they could have children or grandchildren during the voyage who could reach the star.
If scientists ever figure out how to create and travel through wormholes or other theoretical means, then there's really no limit to how far we can go.
2006-06-06 14:37:23 · answer #1 · answered by natlang 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Provided that we do not exterminate ourselves(which seems more likely as each year goes by), are not exterminated by a small planetiod or large asteroid(see Dinosaurs - Extinction), or some other natural disaster, and maintain the curiosity and inquisitiveness of our nature - we(homo sapiens) will explore other galaxies! We Must!!!
Naturally, this will require the development of some means of propulsion for spacecraft beyond that we have today. The limitations of our knowledge now will only allow the exploration, and possible colonization, of our own solar system.
In 200 million years, the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy will collide and our home (Earth) will probably cease to exist as we know it, if it hasn't already by that time. We have to find the means to explore and live in other galaxies.
2006-06-13 07:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by 63vette 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientists are making new discoveries about the Universe all the time. We can't continue to hold Einstein as a model for everything relating to physics. I believe, through the of advances in technology, coupled with the help of quantum computers, radical discoveries will soon be found that will shatter the world of science. Intelligence is as infinite as even what is beyond the Universe itself. :)
2006-06-06 16:00:21 · answer #3 · answered by Abstract 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in our lifetime we will be able to reach the farthest planet, Pluto. Maybe not other solar systems, but to the farthest points within ours. As humans, we must continue to explore past boundaries until we reach our limitations. So eventually, I am sure, we will reach new stars, new solar systems, new galaxies, and possibly find new intelligent lifeforms like ourselfs.
2006-06-06 14:26:56 · answer #4 · answered by Br 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space will change so much, not allowing man 2 enter into certain parts..and man can do nothing about it
2006-06-13 07:53:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As humans, not very far. We will have loooong destroyed ourselves before we make it past the moon. Maybe farther after God recreates us or brings another flood....
2006-06-06 14:19:26 · answer #6 · answered by doggdoc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anywhere. And beyond!
2006-06-08 01:27:25 · answer #7 · answered by si_marmota 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋