1/20/2001 1:40 PM
 

            Many billions of years ago, the universe popped into existence violently.  There was emptiness, then a big bang that created everything as we know it.  A vast period of expansion took place.  The universe began to cool, matter began to coalesce, and nebulas began to form.

            Matter from the nebulas eventually began to clump together to form stars, planets, comets, etc.  During this time, some stars were dying, the heavier elements being created by supernovae.  Some of these elements are in the chain of life; we need these to survive.

            Eventually, after the planets formed, complex amino acids came into existence.  Life followed afterward.  We are made out of old star matter.  We are star stuff.

            Eventually, intelligent life evolved.  There has always been a part of civilization that has strived to understand their existence and the nature of the universe.  We are essentially pieces of the universe broken off from itself.  Science is an attempt to gain understanding of the universe.  So, are we not the universe trying to understand itself?

            We build space probes, we will eventually build colonies on other planets, in other star systems.  We will understand more, we will explore more.  The attempt to understand the universe will help us understand ourselves.  It is a shame that this is happening so slowly.