....the knowledge that Human affairs now encompass the heavens as well as the Earth. The very planets which were at one regarded as moving stars able to exert magical influences upon people have been examined by devices extending our physical senses. First telescopes were used to introduce us to our neighboring worlds, than far flung machines bearing cameras and other instruments revealed them in detail. Our ability to extend our earthly senses to physical regions and spectral wavelengths unreachable by human beings bring vast forces to our attention which shape entire worlds.
These insights become part of the body of Human knowledge, available to many who are curious about the limits of our understanding of nature. The educated elite from which scientists and philosophers emerge will draw from such knowledge and build upon it in their work. Millions more individuals in varying degrees seek out and incorporate our current frontiers of ideas and knowledge of the universe in their personal education. The greatest philosophical influence from space science is perhaps the erasing of the illusion of uniqueness of our world, our Sun, and even our galaxy. Only life is still undetected elsewhere, although this may also change as techniques for examining other planetary systems improve. Once a sense of physical perspective concerning the place of Earth in the Cosmos is made known this becomes a powerful background upon which to decide what is important and what is not in World affairs.
Since the late 1940's Space has influenced the character of religious visionary experience. In industrialized countries the angels once conjured by Western spiritual consciousness were largely replaced by wise aliens in spaceships. In the late1960's, as Human exploration of space was reaching its apex, 'Space' became a counterculture metaphor for personal explorations of consciousness using all means available. As a few military pilots flew into outer space the times were also ripe for uncountable journeys to inner space by a generation whose frontiers of reality had spread beyond that of much of their societies. The first hand held photographs of Earth as a planet in space were entrancing even to many who questioned the spending priorities that made such images possible.
Since the glory days of the 'Space Age' a slow trickle of people have visited space and a handful actually walked on another world, but far too few to have significant cultural impact through direct experience. Although the fortunes of efforts to promote Human expansion into space are subject to the uncertainties of cultural, economic and political whims, the fact that it was at one time possible to visit the Moon should be an inspiration as long as civilization continues.
If there is ever communication established with an interstellar civilization there would be things we would of course like to parade as worthy achievements. Some events in Human history stand out from the rise and falls of civilizations and intervening chaos, the wars of ever greater destruction and the cities which grow and are destroyed, or even this or that great engineering feat such as a dam or building. A photo or video of people on the Lunar surface would be one thing I would make sure they saw, for this is the kind of thing I imagine would arouse the positive attention of a mature space faring civilization.
Mr.
Don
Davis
Artist
International Association of Astronomical Artists
http://www.donaldedavis.com
Professional Category:
Arts
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