Well done Astronomy Ireland. - Our 'important' galaxy?

I have to say that i think the lastest edition of "Astronomy & Space" magazine is one of the best yet (if not the best).

It's crammed full of REALLY interesting articles and images. I particularly enjoyed the article titled "Everything you ever wanted to know about astronomy................".

HOWEVER.............

There is one line in the article that says "our galaxy is no less or no more important then any other galaxy in the universe".

In one sense....................that is correct.

BUT

I feel that the mere fact that OUR galaxy is the only known galaxy in the entire universe to contain life makes it a damn sight MORE important then any other galaxy in the universe.

THAT WE KNOW OF.....................our galaxy has one thing that NO OTHER galaxy in the universe has..................LIFE

Kinda singles this galaxy out as obscenely more important.

Although i do believe that many millions of other galaxies harbour life................it remains to be proven.

So in THAT respect, we are no more important then those other galaxies that harbour life.....................BUT until we find proof of life in other galaxies....................our galaxy is pretty damn special and unique.

P.S.~~~Some interesting books advertised in this months mag. I may just purchase a couple of them.

That' a very anthropocentric point of view. It is more important TO US, but not in any objective way.

Bart.

Its certainly important if not note worthy to us, but its not like our opinion makes any difference to the universe or changes whats beyond our galaxy.

I for one find it impossible to believe that this planet of ours is the only one with life on it.

That' a very anthropocentric point of view. It is more important TO US, but not in any objective way.


Yes the fact that our galaxy is the only known galaxy to harbour life IS important to us, but not only because it contains life but more importantly it gives us a basis to work on in in our search for life in other galaxies.

More important "TO US"...............is searching for and finding OTHER LIFE IN OTHER GALAXIES. But even if we NEVER find it..............the importance is our longing and willingness and ability to keep on searching.

To ME.................."the meaning of life" is to try and find other life. To know just exactly what our point and position in the universe is.

Humans by nature as inquizitive animals. In our search for extra-terrestrial life.............all we are seeking is an answer as to why/how we exist.

I for one find it impossible to believe that this planet of ours is the only one with life on it.

I would have to agree with you there Dave.

I personally think that the universe is to big for us to be alone. What makes us so special. There are 4 hundred billion stars in our galaxy alone
and if one percent of them had life there would be millions of civilizations out there. I know we are at the right distance from the sun and all that but there are just to many stars & two many galaxies out there for it just to be us. I would love to here others peoples opinions on this. it's just the distances involved are just to great for us to find out.

I personally think that the universe is to big for us to be alone. What makes us so special. There are 4 hundred billion stars in our galaxy alone
and if one percent of them had life there would be millions of civilizations out there. I know we are at the right distance from the sun and all that but there are just to many stars & two many galaxies out there for it just to be us.

EXACTLY.

In MY mind......................the notion that we are alone is simply ignorant.