Hubble touches people. When you're looking that far out, you're giving people their place in the universe, it touches people. Science is often visual, so it doesn't need translation. It's like poetry, it touches you.
Interpretation
The Hubble Space Telescope connects individuals to their significance in the vast universe through its stunning images, which can evoke deep emotions without the need for words.
In this quote, Story Musgrave reflects on the profound impact that the Hubble Space Telescope has on humanity. By capturing breathtaking images of distant galaxies and celestial phenomena, the telescope not only expands our understanding of the universe but also connects us to something greater than ourselves. The visual nature of science, much like poetry, has the power to evoke emotions and provoke thought, reminding us of our place in the cosmos and the beauty that exists beyond our immediate experience.
In practice
During a science presentation on the Hubble Space Telescope, one might quote this to emphasize its emotional impact.
It is humanity's destiny to explore the universe. When we start thinking and working on that cosmic level, we will transcend our parochial differences and tribal natures and become global creatures, solar system creatures. Then we will figure out where we fit in.
I came from an extraordinarily dysfunctional family, full of abuse and alcoholism. And eventually everyone within the family had committed suicide.
[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.
'It worked.' (said after witnessing the first atomic detonation).
The real purpose of the scientific method is to make sure nature hasn’t misled you into thinking you know something you actually don’t know.
That's not right. That's not even wrong.
The reality is the majority of us will not get off this planet. So the long run is, some kind of space exploration has to benefit us here on Earth.
Science is a very human form of knowledge. We are always at the brink of the known; we always feel forward for what is to be hoped. Every judgment in science stands on the edge of error and is personal. Science is a tribute to what we can know although we are fallible.
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