Rethinking: Astrophysicists

When I was in school, I felt the study of Astrophysics was a “waste of time” - mainly because the human species is barely getting to the closest moon, why does studying planets million of miles away make sense now?? Why not study when we can get there?!

At the same time, why were they so revered?? What makes the study of Astrophysics greater than others??

Well, I have to say, Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot changed this opinion of mine.

My opinion is as a field, Astrophysics is awesome - so awesome that we need more in this field.

What astrophysicists have been able to figure out of other planets million of miles away from just terrestrial telescopes is astonishing.

Even more stunning is how this information helps us understand the Earth more. By looking at icy planets and moons far away, we can see how life on Earth began.

I’m still reading Pale Blue Dot and this insight just puts me in awe every time I look up and see something in the sky.