Don't ge me wrong, as a race we have come on in leaps and bounds technology-wise, and we now have the ability to look into space with an ability that our ancestors could only dream of.
I think today's space technology is fantastic, but I admit I am still frustrated.
When you learn that there are something like 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars (probably more) in the Universe, each one of these having the potential for planets with life on them, it is exciting.
But then you learn that even with all our amazing technology, it would still take decades/centuries/millenia for us to explore even the nearest star, it becomes a little annoying.
It's like, 'there's bound to be other stuff out there, but you probably won't get to find out in your lifetime!'
There must be so much out there... and I just wanna KNOW! Now! I don't have the patience to wait another 50 years or whatever!
How long till we get to finally find out whats out there, do you think?
2007-01-24 01:10:13 · 12 answers · asked by Buck Flair 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Some things just take time. We are working at it every day. Do not get in a hurry. Wait your turn.
2007-01-26 13:25:21 · answer #1 · answered by Pauleinstein 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quick answer, we already are. Long answer: if you mean actually physically going to other stars in the galaxy, then my estimate would be in the mid to late 21st century (2050 - 2100)
Ray Kurzweil and others are predicting artificial intelligence out pacing biological intelligence, and nano-technology becoming mainstream, by 2020 or 2030. Once this happens, human life spans will increase almost infinitely (this is not a pipe dream). Once human or human/machine organisms don't have to worry about getting to a star in 50 to 60 years then intergalactic travel will become feasible. This should happen in about 30 to 50 years from now. Once again, this is not science fiction, its already happening. Go to Kurzweil_ai.net or google 'The Singularity'.
2007-01-24 09:23:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yo, Juan! Beoff! Sorry. Bad joke, I know.
Current pace may not be fast enough, but you *can* begin exploring even now on your own. All you need is a little patience, and a good Newtonian reflector telescope with a dobsonian mount. They are relatively inexpensive, and if you are willing to do a little work what you see will fill you with both wonder and awe.
If you get the chance to visit with an astronomy club, you may want to join, but at the very least you will get a chance to talk to others who are just as impatient as you are and as the rest of us are.
Go for it, dude!
HTH
Charles
2007-01-24 10:25:26 · answer #3 · answered by Charles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to have to inform you that we will not be exploring any other star systems within 50 years. You will be lucky of we can even get to Mars in 50 years. I have been waiting 40 years to go the the Moon and it now looks like I would have to wait another 40, if I live that long, which is unlikely. :-(
2007-01-24 09:15:19 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you'll be lucky if we get to mars in your life time, but really they need to get back to the moon first.
hopefully the up and coming china super power will provide input and or competition so that they or the americans or both together work more quickly on overcoming challenges.
By the way we as a race will only EVER explore this galaxy (the milky way) we will never venture into deep space and go to another galaxy.
2007-01-24 09:20:29 · answer #5 · answered by wave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this very moment the Voyger 2 space probe is heading out of our Solar System and it is still transmitting to ground control here on Earth. The only way to travel to other places in the Universe is by Black Holes in space.
2007-01-25 16:08:11 · answer #6 · answered by matt1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just for some perspective, the nearest object of any consequence in our galaxy is Alpha Centauri, and it's 4.3 light years away (meaning it would take thousands of years to reach by rocketship) and you once you got there you'd be at nothing but a lonely clutch of stars in the middle of a vast nowhere. The universe is just too big to explore.
2007-01-24 09:16:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are exploring even now, although it is limited to what we can find out via optical and non-optical telescopy, etc.
If you mean manned exploration, I don't think it will ever happen and if it does it won't be for a very long time.
2007-01-24 09:16:21 · answer #8 · answered by gebobs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
freeze yourself. i think humanity will decline, people will be spearing each other with sticks, rusting rockets leaning in the background.
2007-01-24 09:17:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the americans will get around to it when they have finished with Iraq, Iran, Afganistan etc
2007-01-24 09:14:56 · answer #10 · answered by john g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋