SpaceTides e-zine: The Importance of Astronomy and Space Exploration
Written May 2006
Internet Newsletter of ASSA Bloemfontein Centre, South Africa, to the public
www.assabfn.co.za/spacetides

Many people ask "why do we spend millions on astronomy research and space exploration? Shouldn't that money go to better causes, e.g. humanitarian projects? Astronomical research and the exploration of space are crucial. SpaceTides offers reasons why:
	Learning about planet Earth Humankind is at a cross-road. After the past few centuries' steep technological advance (and even from the earliest times of continental colonization many thousands of years ago), we have started to have such an impact on the substance and fabric of the planet's living ecosystems, that we may soon face a scarcity of precious resources. Let's face it. Technological progress is here to stay. Even if all governments agree to stop technological advancement, individuals will still continue to harness the power that technology affords. It's an evolutionary inevitability. Technology can be used to destroy, but it can also be used to heal. The time for healing is now, and informed knowledge about our planet and the impact we (and external cosmic forces) are having on it has become critical.
	Fragile Humans We're all exposed to the forces of nature. Rich, poor, old, young, American, South African. When nature hits us with its relentless power, money won't save you. Getting an understanding of the forces of nature and dangers we as humans face is critically important if we want to ensure our unhindered and stable existence on this planet - whether it be dangers due to our own making or due to unseen risks lying far away in space. A space rock can crash into the Earth without warning and wipe out whole civilizations. Climate change, induced by humans or external objects in the solar system, can place such a limit on natural resources that we fall into a long and stretched-out battle with each other, currently only in the realm of science-fiction stories. Changing weather conditions can turn the planet into an ice heap or one big sand dune (or a combination thereof).
	Gaining knowledge By studying other planets, we learn not only how our planet once was, but also how it might look like in the future. By researching the Sun and Moon, we learn about the hidden forces in space that might have an impact on Earth's weather. By observing asteroids and other space debris, we stay on our guard for potentially hazardous collisions. By studying black holes and gamma-ray bursts, we gain an understanding of the risks that such objects and events might pose for life on Earth. Through a system of weather and climate satellites orbiting Earth, we learn about the ever-changing elements having a direct impact on our day-to-day existence. Satellites can easily monitor the state of rain forests on Earth and through this data, scientists can deduce the negative impact that habitat destruction will have on the future.
	Curious Humans If there is one aspect that definitely defines humans, it is their highly curious state. From the earliest times of recorded history, humans were constantly experimenting, pondering, inventing, creating. You can't take away that curiosity, that reverence for the unknown. It's wired into our brains (memes?). If you actually do manage to take away mankind's curious inclination, you will most certainly be ruler of all. Face it: humans will remain curious as long as they have human minds. We want to know where we came from and we want to know where we are going. Through astronomy and space exploration, that insatiable thirst for knowledge and answers are dealt with. Will our planet be as dry and inhospitable as Mars one day? Is there life on other planets? Is there intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe, or have they all wiped themselves out with their technology before reaching interstellar capabilities? Will we have to find ourselves a new home in the galaxy one day? What does everything consist of? What if our atmosphere is sucked into space tomorrow?
	Worth the money, worth the value Don't be fooled by antagonists who give you figures about the amount of money we spend on astronomy and space exploration. It is only a small fraction of the world's military budgets. Just think of all the lost value through senseless court battles, unnecessary consumer products, stolen value through corruption scandals, etc. Our current economic system does not always measure the value of future sustainability. We only think one or two generations into the future (sometimes only a few years). Astronomy teaches you long term perspective. We need to support scientific research, including research in astronomy and space exploration. It might not pay off for the current generation (except for satisfying our curiosity!), but future generations will benefit from it over and over. We owe it to the future to prepare for the future.
	Cooperation and empowerment If there is one thing we need on Earth, it is more cooperation between countries and individuals. Space exploration affords such an opportunity. Countries are forced to share expertise and resources. Space is not the property of one corporation or government. For now at least its free for all. It's a fact that there is bureaucratic wastage of funds allocated for space exploration. This is an unfortunate fall-out of wrong mindsets and human inefficiency. But the strong will suffice and the results will pay off eventually. We can spend all our money on health and welfare. But shouldn't we focus on empowering countries and its people to such an extent that spending pooled resources on the basic needs of life is not necessary anymore? By finding out who we are and by realizing how fragile our planet and its inhabitants really is, we encourage action to the betterment of all mankind. Again, it might not pay-off directly for the current generation, but the future will be thankful.

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