One of our most popular stories in 2021: Halley's Comet changed humanity and can help us understand these uncertain times
This seems like a good moment to speak to the idea of uncertainty. Our world appears to be in a perpetual state of it. We have recently experienced rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, floods, wildfires and record-breaking hurricanes. And now a worldwide pandemic rages as humanity races to protect itself against a virus that has already claimed millions of lives.
Reaching back more than 2,000 years, our historical record crackles with the palpable fear of these celestial bodies. In 1921 the American Catholic Quarterly Review summed up the collective disquiet around comets from a deep reading of past poets, playwrights and historians: Watch the Film Halley, 2061 The intellectual taming of comets began with Edmond Halley in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In the April 11, 1908, supplementary edition of Scientific American, astronomer S. I. Bailey wrote, “Before Halley’s time comets had been regarded as chance visitors to our solar system, except when they were looked upon as special messengers of divine wrath.”
Halley did not live to see his prediction borne out: he had died 17 years earlier. But he is forever immortalized for allowing us to look at these cosmic visitors as part of a system that can be observed, studied and at least partially drained of its uncertainty.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
NASA telescope takes off to discover early cosmic historyIt is expected to beam back new clues that will help scientists understand more about the origins of the Universe and Earth-like planets beyond our solar system.
Weiterlesen »
Meet the scientists who perform magic tricks on birdsPerforming magic tricks with Eurasian jays helps scientists to understand the animals’ powers of perception, but also their ability to read minds, remember the past and anticipate the future.
Weiterlesen »
Lebanon needs '6-7 years' to recover from crisisLebanon's president estimates the country needs time to overcome the financial crisis as its central bank governor says around $15 billion would help to restore.
Weiterlesen »
New York shortens isolation time for essential workers amid hospital staffing shortagesNew York Governor Kathy Hochul said the shortened isolation time will help 'get people back to work so these critical services that New Yorkers need.'
Weiterlesen »
25 Secrets About Santa Clause You'll Enjoy—Even If You're Lactose Intolerant - E! OnlineAllow us to help you get into the holiday spirit with 25 fascinating facts about the Tim Allen-led franchise The Santa Clause.
Weiterlesen »
25 Secrets About ‘The Santa Clause' You'll Enjoy–Even If You're Lactose IntolerantAllow us to help you get into the holiday spirit with 25 fascinating facts about the Tim Allen-led franchise “The Santa Clause.”
Weiterlesen »