10th Rock from the Sun?

2006-02-03T13:13:00.000-05:00

From NASA's space.com:
This time-lapse image of a newfound planet in our solar system, called 2003UB313, was taken on Oct. 21, 2003, using the Samuel Oschin Telescope at the Palomar Observatory near San Diego, Calif. The planet, circled in red, is seen moving across a field of stars. The three images were taken about 90 minutes apart. Credit: Samuel Oschin Telescope, Palomar Observatory

OK, I'll admit it. I'm sort of a space junkie. Not spacial relationships, mind you, although I can pack a movers truck like nobody's business, but outerspace, the realm of NASA.

Check my browser, you'll always see http://www.space.com in my Favs, because no matter how much Nick and Jessica's breakup effects your life, it is truly insignificant in comparison to what's "out there." We're self-involved organisms, needfully ignoring the fact we're essentially microbes on the Petri dish we call Earth. While we may (or may not be) masters of this realm, for some other organism "out there" we are little more than the aforementioned microbes.

That's a daunting, scary realization, but why live in delusion? Sure, we exist within the realm of this planet, abide by the laws of our respective land, try to make a buck and hopefully end up being productive and helpful at the end of the day.

Whether we end up as affluent as Bill Gates or as destitute as the guy into whose cup you just dropped your loose change, it is all meaningless in respect to the larger, "out there" picture.

The Arab and the Jew, never finding a common ground between them, unwittingly stand upon the common ground beneath them and as such, are equally vulnerable to the fate of that shared earth.

Finally, the aforementioned former Mrs. Lachey, thought of as one of the most perfect examples of this planet's "dominant species," is no more or less physically than Dr. Stephen Hawking who, physically speaking, may be one of the more imperfect examples. Nevertheless, they both have

the same basic systems comprising their bodies, live the same finite existence and again, are ultimately at the same tender mercies of a cold universe.

Thus, the discovery of UB313 (no, they didn't sing "Red, Red Wine" in the 80s, that was UB40) stands as significant, as it effectively redefines the "nine planet theory" thought to comprise our solar system. Moreover, the newest heavenly body was discovered because we now have the technology to make us aware of it, leading to the obvious speculation that 10 planets in our solar system may end up being 11, 12 or 300.

So what, then, do we really know about the "out there" commonly know as the universe? It turns out we know jack shit. This further speculation may be applied elsewhere, as well. Maybe there ARE inhabited planets just beyond the edge of our perception. Maybe there are comets on a collision course with Earth that we'll only notice after its too late. Maybe the universe is endless and unfathomable.

We don't really know, but shouldn't these be the questions we should be pondering and shouldn't this knowledge be what we're seeking? Far easier, we wonder when Brad and Angelina consummated the relationship (during "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" filming?) Thus, while we're the "dominant species" we also share a similar outlook with fellow earth organism the ostrich, taking the easy way out and burying its head in the sand.

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The Dean's List

10th Rock from the Sun?