Yuri Milner, the creator of the Breakthrough Initiatives and the writer of the 2021 book “Eureka Manifesto”, has high hopes for the recently launched James Webb Telescope. This telescope can see deeper into space than any in the past have been able to travel while using infrared technology to capture images in the dark — something that scientists have never been able to do before. In July, NASA released some of the first images from the James Webb Telescope, and it has excited those most interested in space exploration and discovery. There is a lot of hope that this telescope can answer some of the oldest questions that scientists and space explorers have. Read on to learn more about the questions that this unique piece of equipment may be able to answer.
Where the Universe Is in Terms of Growth and Development
In the Eureka Manifesto, Yuri Milner writes, “The universal story is far from finished. It may be just beginning. We don’t know how awake the universe can become.” While scientists have a general idea of how the universe started and developed, its future is less certain. And one of the biggest questions – whether there are other species and civilizations in it beyond our own – is unknown. Hopefully, the James Webb telescope can provide images that may help to answer these questions.
What Dangers May Face the Earth and Whether We Can Overcome Them
Yuri Milner wrote in the Eureka Manifesto, “Other dangers emanate from beyond our planet. The most pressing risk is a collision with a large asteroid or comet. There is no particular reason to think that deflecting such asteroids is beyond our powers over that time frame — indeed, we may even have the technology already.” It is believed that asteroids and comets have made many species extinct on Earth in the past — and potentially all life on other planets. However, we have no idea if asteroids or comets could be heading our way that could impact life as we currently know it. The James Webb telescope may help to show comets or asteroids that could be headed our way, potentially allowing us to deflect them.
If There Is Other Life in the Cosmos
In the Eureka Manifesto, Yuri Milner wrote, “The consensus among astrobiologists today is that at least primitive cellular life is likely to be ubiquitous in the cosmos.” Many scientists and astrobiologists believe that there is life outside Earth. But where is that life, and how intelligent is that life? Is it just primitive cellular life, or is it intelligent life forms? The James Webb telescope can see deeper into space and capture parts of space we have never seen. The hope is that the images captured may help answer the question about other potential life forms in the cosmos.
Yuri Milner is extremely interested in space exploration. As the founder of the Breakthrough Initiatives and the writer of the Eureka Manifesto, he has taken steps to make his beliefs known and to make it clear that he believes space exploration is vital for the success of humanity in the future. Like many other scientists, Mr. Milner is looking forward to finding out what images and discoveries the James Webb Telescope can provide for us.
