Shirin Haque, Ph.D.
Astronomer, University of the West Indies (x)
 |
| Mars (from the net) |
So too I look up at the pale red dot in the sky and think "planet ahoy!". The reason often perpetuated, for climbing a mountain by those who do it, is because it is there. It is a human instinct in us to explore, discover and often conquer with sometimes disastrous effects to the prized jewel we found.
One of the most thrilling moments of my life with no regrets, was flying over a volcano on the island of Montserrat to record a documentary. The doors of the helicopter were open and the stench of the sulphurous emissions from the volcano stung our noses as the helicopter did its dives. It was scary, but what a rush! Every neuron in my body was firing. It is what it means to feel alive. Going to Mars is an adventure that beckons similarly.
The human spirit of adventure and exploration of the unknown is likely encoded into our genetic makeup to ensure our survival as a species despite the risk and possible death to the soldiers of exploration at the frontier for the sake of the many that follow and the future.
Going to Mars is nothing more than the next logical step in our advancement of discovery and exploration. It must be done. Until we can do it -- we remain restless caged spirits. Sometimes, like in the case of the lunar landings, there was the dynamics of political agendas. Had there not been political agendas, I believe with certainty that humans would have landed on the moon nonetheless. It was the logical step at the time.
The opportunity to make history, to be the early charters risking it all is a small price for the satisfaction of doing it. It is an elixir of life only to experienced. It is a part of us in the deepest sense and what makes us human.
The journey to Mars can be eight or nine months long. In an adult's lifetime, this is quite doable. How many of us for the sake of jobs, research, and studies spend years away from our home base? What of the early sea farers braving the rough oceans of the Atlantic and inclement weather to discover the 'new world'? We have already ventured forth. Modern day science gives a much better idea as to what to expect and preparation for such compared to the explorers of the days of yore who lived on a whim, prayer and luck oftentimes.
Humans' fundamental needs are few and universally defined. Apart from the need for food and shelter, there is a strong need for companionship. It is essential if one is never to return from Mars, that a group of persons be the early settlers, with others to follow. We have seen how the world has shrunken globally with the advent of connectivity how many our own families are now scattered across the globe and we stay in touch with the technology of the day. Such an evolving humanity lends to making the leap to the next level to Mars. To boldly go where no man has ever gone before. Star trek is visionary in its appeal decades later. We don't care to be beamed up, Scotty.
To have survived the journey, to land and step out on to Mars 'terra firma', despite all the preparations will be nothing like we expected. The hope to step on Martian soil, to see the terrain and know you are in a place of dreams is what churns us on. Humans will always travel to places they have studied thoroughly and seen virtual tours and images of because nothing ever beats the real experience.
The first days, the first weeks will be an awakening, and discovering and getting the basics in order for survival. Yes, there will perhaps be a sense of depression with it all, even as anyone in an uncharted territory can feel, but it evaporates quickly as the mind and senses are enraptured and intoxicated with the new discoveries. The skies, the sunsets, planet earth, Phobos and Deimos in the night sky -- how wonderful to be a part of the bigger universe. A chance at a new beginning.
In the truest sense, a journey to Mars is just another sequel to many other such migrations humans have already done -- albeit this is to another planet. But in spirit it is hardly any different when we leave the shores we were born in and grew up in and settle in another country sometimes to never return or Christopher Columbus takes to the seas to discover "new lands" or going to the moon. What we must learn to never ever repeat are the mistakes of the past - slavery, and wiping off the indigenous peoples. As far as we know, there are no Martians to conquer or enslave. But it will be a new land, new challenges, new resources. Never to exploit, if we have learned anything at all.
Buzz Aldrin made the potent remark 'magnificent desolation' with regard to the moon. Clearly the most meaningful thing in his life is likely to be the moon landing. He continues to be an advocate for manned missions to space. Who can know better than one who played that wild card already? And his own words are that "Mars is waiting for your footsteps."
Pitter... patter... God of War, here we come.". /Shirin Haque
_________________________________________________________________________
(x) The University of the West Indies, also known as UWI, is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos. Each of these countries is either a member of the Commonwealth of Nations or a British Overseas Territory. The aim of the university is to help "unlock the potential for economic and cultural growth" in the West Indies, thus allowing for improved regional autonomy. The University was originally instituted as an independent external college of the University of London.
