Jaylon M.

Smallwood
September 14, 2015
UWRT 1102

When you look up in the sky what captures your attention? Is it the sun setting in
the west or the moon rising from the east, is it the clouds in the air or the birds above, or
could it possibly be the colors in the ever changing sky. For me, its what lies beyond.
The stars, the planets, the endless galaxies throughout the wide and unknown space. It
is a giant, a wonder to us which makes it even more stunning and interesting to know
about. I makes me wonder
How many stars are out there? It may seem like a weird question to ask, but when
I start thinking about it; the question starts to expand. When I think of stars, I think of
our sun. Then I begin to wonder about the solar systems with suns like ours, and in
those solar systems is there planets like ours, and on those planets is there water, and if
theres water is there an abundance of oxygen and if theres oxygen is there life on those
planets and so on and so on. Its a gate way question which makes me wonder about all
the little thing around it. I begin to wonder about space travel and exploration and the
philosophy of science. I think about how these ideas brought on by this one question is
relevant to our goals of space exploration. Then I think how does this affect the idea of
science should we begin to ask more questions if we dont know the answers to the one
before it, and if we do how do we go about answering it, staying inside the lines of
reason. We are always trying to reach, to stretch, to past our own limits, to look around
the corner for the next bit of information This one question leaves you with so many
questions to ask like what is the purpose of our planets.
What is the purpose of our planets in our solar system? How do they affect one
another? What are the relationships they share? In science we know everything has a
purpose even if we dont know it right away, so its interesting to wonder the purpose of
our planets. For example, to some scientists Jupiters purpose is to protect the inner
planets from large comets and asteroids. With this question you could dive and
investigate the history of our planets, their births, and how they shape our solar system
today. This question would be the most interesting to me in science fiction because it fits
into the theme of the unknown secrets of the galaxy which science fiction is known for
portraying in its works on occasion. It leaves so much to be interpreted which makes me
think deeper on how we see our planets. And, maybe the possibilities of life which could
be held on them.
Is it possible? Is there life on other planets? With plants, creatures or even begins
like us on distant planets. If so, how would we react to this newly discovered life? This
question is very philosophical in the idea of other beings being out there and the

unknown thoughts and ideas they may have, but at the same time scientific in the
manner of life being able to happen again as it did on Earth, but on another planet. We
are no closer to knowing the answers to these questions than when we started years ago.
But these questions are also interesting in a spiritual genre point of view. How does this
question, How will we react to the discovery of life on other planets?, and religion mix.
If they mix at all. The clash with faith and this question is the most interesting because
most people organize their lives around faith. If this question destroys faith then how
will people carry on with their lives? This question makes me wonder on the existence of
life and the possibility of life on other planets. Its a Question which I believe everyone
thinks about especially the nations of the world.
Can the nations of the world work together towards space travel? Or, are we
putting our competitive natures ahead of this singular goal? Are we all just backstabbing
each other to satisfy our own national prides? Space is a difficult subject to understand
and in our pursuit of this knowledge we have to work together as one planet. How can
we discover or visit life on other planets if we cannot cooperate with one another? This
is strong political question in the manner of national relationships, and the
understanding of how nations work, but at the same time its a psychological question
because we need to understand the human aspect of it along with the national. Its a
normal question to ask, but at the same time a huge question in the weight it holds. Its a
challenge question. It asks nations if they are capable of working to together. Are they
capable to put their own prides aside and join together to accomplish a goal, a dream
sought by many?
These questions dont even scratch the mysteries space holds, but they allow us to
be engrossed by it. Space will always amaze us because from those amazements new
questions will arise, for the endlessness of space provides room for an endless amount of
questions to arise.