The Final Frontier: Trappist-1
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Final Frontier: Trappist-1

NASA scientists recently discovered another complete solar system - so what does that mean for us?

12
The Final Frontier: Trappist-1
NASA

Recently, a major development has occurred in American academics. The news that came out just a few days prior to the now infamous Oscars. NASA scientists have discovered a system of planets, called the Trappist system, right in our galactic neighborhood. The system, part of the Aquarius constellation, contains seven planets that are so close together, they effect each others' gravity, and one could look up and see clouds, continents, and possibly even cities on the planet above them. Which is all the more likely, considering at least three of these planets are in Trappist-1's habitable zone, or “Goldilocks zone” - meaning the conditions are just right for life as we know it to form. So, the questions that come up from this announcement – how will we continue to investigate this system, what possibilities are there for life, and what will this mean for the world in the next few years? Allow me to speculate, and consider the possibilities the unknown presents to us.

NASA has always pushed the boundaries of discovery. From developing missiles and rockets during the 1950s and eventually bringing Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the Moon in 1969. Fast forward to now, and despite a lack of sufficient budget, NASA was able to find a possibly habitable system. The plan is to put new Hubble-type telescopes in orbit and target them towards the Trappist system. Without a doubt, NASA will continue to search for other solar systems in our neighborhood, whether they are nearby (within a hundred light years or so) or even further. The technology has advanced, allowing for probes and other equipment that is too classified for the public to know about. To continue searching in and around the Trappist system, they'll have to put all their efforts into developing new methods and creating new devices. Humans have always been explorers and researchers, and instead of finding “the New World” across the ocean, we now are looking for entire planets. This will not be a small finding for the esteemed agency, but the first step in essentially building a map of local space.

To the second question, the possibility of life. Three planets in the Trappist system have the capability of life, or at least as we know it. Assuming that they also evolved from carbon, it would be likely they would be at least slightly human-like, but this is also dependent on their environment. We must question, however, whether or not our concepts of what conditions would be required for life are applicable. One such species may not require water or a temperature. The discovery of a species that did not follow what we consider the “requirements” would shock the scientific world in a way that is almost unimaginable. How developed would this civilization be? Would our transmissions be received, or are they primative, slowly forming new civilizations and becoming more advanced, not unlike humanity? Of course, we must consider what discovery of life on another planet would mean in terms of Earth civilization. Life as we know it is a very well written and well-investigated set of categories and rules. Extraterrestrial life would rock those concepts to their very core. The proof of alien life may be too far for some, and as portrayed in Contact and to a lesser extent, Batman v Superman, religious objections would be raised. Likely, it would be a revelation that would call in scholars of all academics to determine what to do. The Voyager 1 probe is already out of our Solar System, but it is outdated. It is time we sent another – containing music, stories, language, math, everything we consider “human” to present to whoever intercepts it from the Trappist system. Every level of our society would change and be affected.

So what will this discovery mean for Earth in the long run? Well, the obvious first – we've discovered an entire planetary system. With the launches of new space telescopes starting in 2018, we look to a possible second Space Race, this time trying to master cross-system travel. Private companies like SpaceX are already working on a Mars mission, so it is only a matter of time before NASA does the same. Perhaps a return to the Moon. At the same time, the easiest thing to do is to attempt communication. By sending signals, we could be able to transmit messages towards these planets, in hopes of a response. As long as there is new information, a new interest in space and the unknown is likely. We are already seeing a larger amount of people of all backgrounds looking into working in STEM fields, and if we continue to search further, expanding our knowledge of the universe, this influx won't be just a passing movement. The Trappist system discovery will lead to further discoveries and further attempts to see beyond our solar system, and it will take the next generation to get us beyond our reaches.

This may sound like ramblings. But this is exactly what the thought process should be when it comes to space exploration. We must look beyond our surface and look up to the stars. One day, we will be sending explorers to the cosmos, not unlike early European expeditions across the Atlantic. If there is life on the Trappist planets, perhaps they are also wondering what else is out there. On Earth, we've made a groundbreaking discovery, one that will affect the work of NASA for generations. It will take people and groups from all over the world, coming together in peaceful cooperation, to continue searching these systems for the next big human discovery. We must, as said in Star Trek, “boldly go where no man has gone before.” And if NASA keeps this up, we just might do that within our lifetimes.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58435
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37644
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959241
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193717
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments