Although
the main payload onboard the Kepler spacecraft consists of instruments to
detect other worlds, a second package reminds anyone who may intercept the
craft millennia from now of the hopes of the generation that launched it. Over
a six-month period, tens of thousands of people submitted messages explaining
why they thought the Kepler mission is important. These were gathered onto a
DVD and attached to the spacecraft.
Many of the
messages highlighted Kepler's
scientific objectives. Chris Hall, from Virginia, noted that "This mission
serves to expand our exploration of two of humanity's deepest questions—are
there other
worlds out there like our own, and if so, are there other entities who may
be seeking knowledge of us?" Many described this scientific mission as a
manifestation of a need to reach out into space. As Wanvisa Permtongchuchai of
Thailand put it, "Exploration is the nature of humankind." Indeed, some spoke
as if they had no choice but to participate, as in Martha Harris of Kentucky's
statement that "The Kepler Mission is humanity's cry in the dark. I can't not
be a part of this – even if only in name."
Others
emphasized humanity's curiosity, as in the message of Anthorr Nomchong of
Australia: "curiosity is what drives us and what we will be able to share if we
do find out that we are finally not alone on this small cosmic speck of dust."
Annabelle Bresnahan of New York reminded us that such curiosity knows no age
limits: "The one thing my daughter doesn't question is her own curiosity. Kepler
is important because we are all still children."
Still
others stressed that finding other worlds can give us a greater appreciation of
our own world, as well as increased self-understanding. Bob O'Donovan of California,
for example, suggested that "Space exploration and the discovery of other
civilizations is by far the greatest challenge of humanity. The immenseness and
wideness of space makes us appreciate the fragility and divine beauty of the
Earth."
A similar
position was expressed by Abraham Samma of the United Republic of Tanzania when
he wrote, "The search
for other worlds with perhaps other intelligent beings is a noble plan. We
as humans would hopefully get to know and love our home more if we continue to
further our knowledge of other worlds." Christina Aas of Norway emphasized the
value of increased self-awareness: "It would be a great waste if we were the
only living beings in the entire universe. By searching for other life forms
out there we might learn more about ourselves in the process. We will hopefully
also see that whatever conflicts exist between people, in the larger picture we
are all the same ..."
While some
of the people submitting messages recognized the distinct possibility of not detecting
Earth-like planets in other
solar systems, most were optimistic. And as Keith Mansfield of the United
Kingdom observed, the discovery of small, rocky planets around other suns would
be especially fitting, given the spacecraft's namesake: "If Kepler finds many
terrestrial-style planets we can target some of our SETI in their direction. If
it finds none, then we would have to reevaluate our ideas about our position in
the universe. That seems unlikely though. It was Kepler himself, by
demonstrating that orbits are ellipses rather than circles, who helped shift
humanity's viewpoint in the first place. No longer was it even possible for us
to be at the very center of everything. It would be a surprise if the telescope
named after the man were to indicate that we are, after all, uniquely
privileged."
Dr. Vakoch
is Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute. His work
is supported through the Adopt a Scientist program by Jamie Baswell.
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