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Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu

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What is the significance of planets and natural satellites even though no life exists on them?

Hello everyone , I am just curious to know , the significance of other planets and natural satellites in our solar system . Probably there are other galaxies , with same set of planets but
-why do they exist?
-How do they impact our life?
-How does understanding the geography of those planets help us?

Astrology analyzes the position of planets in the sky and decide the fate of us human beings. So is that the only purpose?

Topics: Natural Satellites Planets The Universe astrology galaxies
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    Stewart Gault 30+

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    May 22 2012: firstly, asking why they exist assumes there's a purpose which is objective as certain things only have a purpose because we humans give them one. How they impact our life, not much. The moon makes the tides come in and out and gives us a little reflected light at night. Understanding their geography and geology allows us to make models of the solar system. It allows us to determine which planets or even planetary moons could be inhabited by humans. A recent example of human getting a use from space is the potential mining of Vesta. Though astrology is mere fakery and liar's way of trying to connect us to the planets spiritually. I would recommend reading some of James Randi's works if you believe is astrology, as he can show how it is false.
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      Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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      May 23 2012: Well Stewart , thanks for your insight.But could you tell me how understanding geography and geology allows us to make models of the solar system..Or to put it in a better way , how has making models of solar system helped us apply these models practically? Is only the potential mining of Vesta one of the advantages of studying space.

      I have to admit, we have taken beautiful images of space galaxies , but there should be a bigger purpose , don't you think?
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        Stewart Gault 30+

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        May 23 2012: Right now knowing the geography of the moon has allowed us to determine that it did come from a proto earth. Also I believe physicists have a method by which they fire I think it's X-rays at a planet very far away and the ray rebounds off the planet, though every element rebounds X-rays differently so they can determine geography of planets, and by doing this over and over you get a picture of what distances and size of planets and stars are required for life supporting bodies. And no I don't believe the universe has to have some great purpose other than to merely exist. Richard Dawkins said something like this, matter flows from one place to another and occasionally comes together to be you. There's nothing magical or purposeful about our universe, it's just beautiful.
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          Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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          May 23 2012: So Stewart, is that the only conclusion we can draw ? that they look beautiful , maybe telescope captures them beautifully... but there should be a scientific significance to it .
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        Stewart Gault 30+

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        May 23 2012: The scientific significance is that any exists at all. What sort of significance are you looking for?
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          Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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          May 23 2012: For example , we have solar energy , which is already being harnessed .. In a similar fashion , can we harness energy from other entities in solar system?
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        Stewart Gault 30+

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        May 23 2012: Ahhhhhh I get what you mean know, sorry about that. To my knowledge no we can't. Aside from mining asteroids for minerals there's not much we can really do. Though just maybe as a side note, because we have a basic knowledge of it's geography we've established it has geo thermal power and ice caps. So the significance of knowing that is the fact that when we actually get to Mars, and I think at some point we'll colonize it, we will have a power source and won't need to somehow build a power station but we'll have to bring tools to allow us to 1. melt the ice for water and 2. dig to harness the geo thermal energy. In our solar system to my knowledge at least, that is all really. Mercury's too hot, Venus has lots of problems, Mars has potential, Jupiter and Saturn are gas, and I think everything else beyond is either gas or too cold. Though I know there's studies of Jupiter and Saturn's moons to see what potential they could have, and I would be the first person to go andl ive their, imagine having Jupiter as a substitute for our moon.
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          Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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          May 23 2012: Thanks stewart ,honestly space exploration is only one of areas of interest , even harnessing other forms of energy was also my other area of interest.This question came to my mind when these 2 interest flashed my mind

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