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that we are not the only galactic kids on the block! As cosmology shows us other galaxies and quantum math applications, we will begin to have a greater understanding of how to reach these neighboring galaxies, and I believe, the life that lives there.

Right now the Study of Terrestrial Intelligence ( SETI ) is sending radio waves out into space. The problem is, they only travel at the speed of light. If we can't figure out how to travel further and to send radio waves from shorter distances, it may very well be thousands, if not millions, of years away before we get a message back.

Here's how it works. SETI sends out radio signals. Those signals travel through speed at, essentially, the speed of light. If life is 1 million light years away from us, it will take them 1 million years to get the signal. And, it would take us 1 million more to get one back! The only solution would be to have unmanned shuttles that could travel at almost the speed of light AND send a signal at the same time . This way we might could cut that time down to maybe a few hundred or thousands years!

One last thing that will change in the next few years, is that space workhorse the Hubble telescope! The telescopes two decade mission will come to an end in 2010. It will be replaced with, quite probably, a telescope that uses infrared wave-lengths. Hubble used optical and ultra-violet wave-lengths. The newer technology should send back some awe inspiring photos from deep space. The other advantage to the newer telescope will be the broader scope. Hubble photographed into deep space, but only a very small portion. The newer model will have a broader scope and therefore will cover much more of space!

While all these things are in the future of astronomy, the greatest asset science has, are the children that are learning it today! I encourage everyone to look through a telescope. Watch a meteorite shower. Learn about all that space has to offer. It will make the difference in how quickly all these things come to pass. Who knows, you may be raising the next Einstein! Give it a go.

Learn more about this author, Kristi Walker.
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