I worked at the Keck observatory for almost ten years and all this “stuff” is very normal to me.
Kecks are segmented mirrors.
This JM machine is pretty awesome!
My only question is this -
How does this better the life of the people
that live here, while they waste their
time trying to find other Earths and life that
with our existing technology, we’ll never
interact with.
Paid me pretty good for 10 years.
but..........................
Aloha
How does archeology benefit me? Or the study of the literature of the Middle Ages? We are a curious species and it’s impossible for most of us to entertain a question without seeking an answer.
Not by bread alone, you know.
“How does this better the life of the people that live here, while they waste their time trying to find other Earths”
_____________
Better to spend their valuable time proposing, and experimenting/collecting data to prove or disprove, hypotheses that are consonant with, or at least do not demonstrably contradict, sacred scripture.
That is how the most valuable scientific discoveries have always been made or arrived at throughout history.
Discovering “another earth” or “proof of extraterrestrial life” does not fall into this category.
Attempts to permanently colonize extraterrestrial places other our own satellite Luna (such as the planet Mars) fall more or less in the same category. Accordingly, any sovereign government that foolishly initiates or perpetuates any such project is engaging in an enormous waste of time and money.
Well, we know the politicians are going to squander what they take from us.
They have been stealing our money for generations and has poverty been eradicated? Has government enriched our lives? Tell me one thing that government has done, ON ITS OWN, Without our money, that has helped this country. Are you as free as you were when LBJ started “The Great Society”?
You worked with the Keck Telescope? As an amateur astronomer, I am envious and happy that you had the opportunity to do so. And in Hawaii, no less. Cool!
But then surely, you MUST have an idea, over the years, of the technical innovations that have sprung from research regarding the space program that have benefited everyone.
THIS is money well spent. It gets results.