I want to talk about the James Webb Space Telescope or JWST. Why? I like learning about new things, whether it’s the history of the Opium Wars; the mating habits of the kākāpō; or the positive philosophical implications of enjoying Salt and Vinegar chips; I like learning new things.

If I was immortal, then one day I might learn and know everything, but alias, I am not. The exponential growth of my grey hair proves this. Another one of my mortal problems is that my mind is like a black hole; it takes in information, but it’s nearly impossible to retrieve it.

However there are some topics like Astronomy, that once I start talking, it’s easier to make Judge Dredd laugh, than to get me to stop talking about that subject. Which brings us to the James Webb Space Telescope.

If you haven’t already heard about it, the JWST is a new space telescope, that was launched on 25th December 2021. Now I could try and give you a detailed analysis and history of the JWST, but I’m not going to.

There are two reasons for this; the first one being after so many delays, the telescope has actually launched, so I’m just ecstatic. The second reason is because there have been so many articles already written about the telescope, explaining the history and the technology, that I feel it’s a bit redundant going over this. However what I am going to talk about, is what the telescope actually means to me and why I’m excited.

Without sounding like too much of a massive geek; which I’m going to fail extremely badly at, the JWST is the next generation of space telescopes. I’m crossing my fingers here, but the telescope is hopefully going to unlock more secrets of the universe, that we have only ever dreamt of.

It’s mission has four goals: to study planetary systems and the origins of life; to understand the formation of stars and planetary systems; to study the formation and evolution of galaxies; and to search for light from the first stars and galaxies that formed in the universe after the Big Bang. No pressure then. I for one, can’t wait for the discoveries that the JWST is going to make.

Hundreds of people from round the world, working thousands of hours, using cutting edge technology, have designed, built and have launched the JWST. I think that’s amazing, and every single person involved in this project deserves our congratulations and thanks.

The information the JWST is going to collect and present to humanity, will give us a better understanding of our place in the universe. It’ll also give us better tools to research and hopefully get answers, to questions that have plagued astronomers and astrophysicists for decades.

That’s exciting, it really is, because it may also help us in finding solutions to problems that the world is currently facing at the moment, like Climate Change, cancer, and Sour Cream and Chives chips.

You might feel anxious about what the future holds for us, but an event like the launch of the JWST, can somehow; at least to me, be truly inspiring, and it gives me the belief that not everything in this world is doom and gloom.

Right now, the telescope is travelling at 1.39 km per second, on it’s way to the second Lagrange Point (L2) in our solar system; which is 1.5 million km, directly behind the Earth, when viewed from the Sun.

A Lagrangian point is a location in space, where the orbital motion of a body and gravitational forces, can balance each other out. They can be used by spacecraft to hover, and that is exactly what the JWST is doing to do. To quote everyone’s favourite Vulcan science officer; to me, that is fascinating.

Whether you’re interested in space exploration, or just like to keep up with latest news events, the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope is quite frankly priceless, and a great way to put 2021 behind us.

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week!

I want to talk about the Earth for my blog today. Why? Because there seems to be a argument floating about, and I feel as a geek, I would like to add my $3.50 to it.

So the crux of the argument is this: should we be spending time, resources, and money to try and fix the problems and issues, that are plaguing our world currently, or should we be investing time, resources, and money into the colonisation of space? This is a grossly over-simplified explanation of the issue, but it’s still very valid, much like the terrible photo on my driver’s licence.

On one side of the argument, we have people campaigning for the preservation and protection of Earth; mainly against deforestation, pollution, and Climate Change. To be fair, I agree that Climate Change is one of, if not the biggest problem facing life on this planet. That and Sour Cream and Chives, in all it’s forms.

The issue is the catastrophic changes we are making to this planet, are happening in real world time. It’s happening right in front of us and we are the cause of it. There is a campaign to shift the mindset of people across the world, so they can get them on board, to fight Climate Change and to protect not just humanity, but life all over the world.

Some people say we should be investing in clean renewable energy, and to find new sustainable solutions. Whether this is upgraded solar, wind, and thermal technology or my personal favourite, nuclear fusion energy.¹ Sadly, the CO₂ rates just keep climbing, so the entire global biosphere in in jeopardy.

We are on the abyss and if we can’t change our ways, if we can’t pull back from this, we’re going to tip over, and we will drag everything with us. To add to this argument, is that there are people who believe that investing in space colonisation is wrong.

They believe this to be a complete waste of time, resources, and money; to be exploring and experimenting with space technology, when we need it on Earth to save the planet. I can understand this, it’s a fair point.

However, on the other side of the argument, are people that believe that space exploration and colonisation, terraforming planets, and the building of generational starships, are not just wants, but a necessity to save our unique species.

Going back to the Moon, landing on Mars, and developing technology that will allow humans to live in space longer, are concepts that some people firmly believe in, to enhance space exploration and colonisation. This is where they believe, we need to be donating our time, resources, and money in developing new technology. Again, I kind of feel it’s a very fair point.

So what can I do to solve this conundrum? As a very proud geek, am I pro-Earth or pro-Space? I think the problem is very much like nearly everything society launches at us. It’s forcing us to make a choice between two options, whether it’s Team Jacob or Team Edward; Team Batman or Team Superman; Freddy vs Jason; or Godzilla vs Kong.

But what would happen, if you choose neither of them and both of them at the same time? We just need to place the Earth in a box, so Schrödinger could explain about collapsing wave functions, and Climate Change could be the poison.

But seriously, my answer is this: why can’t we have both? Why can’t we develop the technology to change our lifestyle habits, and to save yourselves, but also the other nonhuman residents of this planet, by fighting Climate Change? By actively protecting the planet, why can’t we do that, as well as developing technology to take us off the planet and live among the stars?

There’s something about the future, that no matter how much you can dismiss it, no matter how much you don’t want to think about it or read about it, that you can’t escape from. There is something that is going to happen to our planet, but it’s not going to happen in our lifetime.

One day from now, around 5 billion years in the future, life will not be able to survive or exist on this planet. This is because, the closest star to us is currently halfway through it’s life cycle, and one day it will burn through it’s hydrogen reserves, and then start fusing helium. When that happens, the Sun will expand its outer layers, and swallow Mercury, Venus and, quite possibly the Earth. ²

And there is nothing, absolutely nothing humanity can do to stop this fact. The only thing we can do, is preserve the Earth for as long as possible, because one day we are going to have to leave this planet, if we are going to survive.³

The way I see it, we don’t own the Earth, we never have. We’re just renting it. Who or what actually owns the planet, is a blog for another day; but the point is, the Earth is not forever or ours. We are only here for a short period, because we are renters.

As a former renter myself, you try to do whatever you can to keep the house working. You mow the lawns, you wash the windows, you try to keep everything clean and tidy, so the house can still function. Sometimes you may have to get a tradesperson in to the fix the washing machine or the fridge, in consultation with the landlord; but the idea is that, while you are living in that house, you do everything possible to keep it in a working condition, so you can actually live in it and not be evicted.

But like I said, as a former renter, there is always a terrible thought at the back of your mind; you know you can’t stay there forever. It doesn’t matter how much you like living there, or how much blood, money or sweat, you put in to protecting and preserving the house; one day you’re going to have to leave it.

Even if this house goes to the next generation, and the generation after that, their job will be the same: to protect and preserve the house as long as possible. Because one day, you will have to leave, whether it’s your choice or not. And when you do, you’ll need somewhere to go, and the only place we can go, is space.

We need to learn how to live in space on a permanent basis and be safe, but also to terraform planets. If we’re going to survive as a species, we need to do two things: we need to fix our problems and mistakes regarding Climate Change, and we need to do it quickly. We also need to do it together, but at the same time, the long-term plan is that we’re going to have to leave.

Surely we can do this. Surely we can multitask and solve Climate Change, as well as developing space exploration technology, at the same time.

As a species, we’ve made Salt and Vinegar chips, Star Wars, football, pizza, manga, and the Periodic Table. Surely we can solve this. Surely we can have a short-term plan and a long-term plan. Why can’t we do both? There is no reason, no reason at all, why we can’t do this, for the fact to survive as a species, we have to do both.

But then, what do I know? I live in a house with two individuals that believe the height of intellectual entertainment are farts, and my wardrobe is filled with comic books. What do I know?

Anyway, thank you once again for reading, and I’ll see you next week.

¹ As a New Zealander, I feel like I’m betraying my country; but I extremely believe that nuclear fusion energy, is one of the best tools to fight against Climate Change.

² The Sun is a star, so even if you’re outside during the day, you are still being bathed in starlight.

³ If you haven’t just realised, I have just described Kal-El’s origin.