Webster Cash is the mastermind behind the New Worlds mission, so-called because just as the explorers of the 15th~17th centuries searched for new land during the Age of Discovery, we are out to find, well, new worlds.
Wait, what?
New Worlds is a mission to find earth-like planets in other solar systems. Most of these extra solar planets (or exo-planets) that have been found so far are giant gas planets like Jupiter. A few weeks ago, scientists using the European Southern Observatory's telescope in La Silla, Chile found a small terrestrial planet. So they're out there! When our mission is launched, we'll not only be able to find more little rocky planets like our own -- we'll be able to take actual pictures of them and even detect things like water and oxygen.
If there's oxygen and water on a planet... and it's not too hot or too cold... who knows? But if life exists out there, New Worlds has the capabilities to find it.
We'll be dumping all sorts of informal stuff here on this blog, so come back often to see how things are coming along!
1 comment:
Oh man, New Worlds rules! Well, hi anyone who is reading this. Just a heads up, I recently bought some New Worlds shirts from Cafe Press and they came out AMAZINGLY! I want to get seven of each, just for myself. They do seem to run big, in case you're heading to the store now! It's cafepress.com/newworlds
- Rebecca
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