Is It True We Know More About Space Than Our Own Ocean?

Answer 1

Its a great quote for oceanographers. And in many ways its true. Telescopes, even the most simple can see huge distances. Radiotelescopes can see what is hidden to optical telescopes. The sky is basically clear so there is little to hinder astronomical observation.

The ocean"s bottoms are covered with miles of water, which after the first 100 feet or so is opaque. We have mapped the bottom contours fairly well with sonar but there is nothing equivalent to telescopes to see the bottom except to go there. Only specialized submarines can descend to those depths, and their ranges are short. The pressures at those depths are very extreme, and such voyages are dangerous and costly. Technology for such ships has only been developed since the 1960s. Telescopes have been around for a number of centuries.

Answer 2

I'm going to say it's not true. I do agree with the other answerers that it is subjective though. Usually the saying is about the deep ocean, not the oceans in general, but I still don't agree. For instance, we have pretty good estimates on the size, depth, and shape of the oceans; we also know a great deal about the life in them. Space... [insert shrug here] eh, not so much.

Answer 3

I would say it is a different kind of knowledge. We know infinitely more about life in the oceans than we know about the geology of Mars, the most visited and best researched planet in the solar system. On the other hand we certainly have much more data from astronomy than we have from the deep sea.

If you ask me, the saying is a broad generalization and as such it is pretty nonsensical. That won't stop people from repeating it no matter what the truth.

Answer 4

That question is fairly subjective. It would really depend on what aspects of each you were referring to.

It is true that the oceans are complex and diverse and in some ways inaccessible. But, then again, so is space.

Answer 5

confident, in spite of the fact that all of us comprehend much less approximately area then we are hoping. Oceans (the deep end) are organic technological know-how interest and extremely high priced to discover for little return. suggestion is extensive whilst got here across, yet mankind hopes to amplify into area, not the depths of the sea.

Answer 6

well...it all depends who u ask, but if you think about it logically, how many space missions have you heard of? okay..how many underwater missions have you heard of?

continuing on then...
the crushing weight of the water used to be hard to overcome, but we're getting there. slowly.