[Writer Post][Spotlight Post] Hello, Pluto, You’re Looking Fine…
It’s Wednesday, and it’s a writer blog day, but I’m not really going to write about writing today. Because today, even though I’m a writer – I’m a Big Fat Science Geek – actually this whole week because through the miracles of modern technology I’ve watched us finally get to see Pluto in all its glory.
Yes, on my phone and iPad, I’ve been streaming the media briefings and such going out live from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. Friday, I’ll be streaming the next news out of NASA headquarters. Even though I’m not “scientific” I’m excited by the discoveries coming out the preliminary data and pictures. Pictures that are detailed and amazing and evidence of WATER ICE. And to see the New Horizons teams so very, very excited.
A NASA released photo I grabbed from the WSJ. The emotion is beautiful.
Oh, and for the record… I’m firmly…FIRMLY in the PLUTO IS A PLANET camp. MY solar system has NINE planets (and orbits uphill both directions barefoot in the snow).
The technology that’s been decades in the making, that’s been nearly a decade to come to fruition… and to find out there’s so much we didn’t know that can be applied to other bodies. I pray… I PRAY HARD… that the amazing thing the New Horizons teams managed to achieve through all the politics, all the budget cuts, all the “why do we need this” – leads to MORE. More inspiration, more insight, more adventure. I want these scientists and engineers not only have an entire career of analysis and discovery, but also use this as a stepping stone to greater achievements.
Another NASA photo of Pluto. Details are astounding.
I hope the videos, the interviews, and the data gets pushed out through media, social media, and education to inspire young minds to take what these teams have accomplished and use it as a stepping stone to further research the planets, moons, and Kuiper Belt. The New Horizons Team has gone where no one has gone before – they’re living that dream, and they’re sharing it with us through TV, through streaming. We got to live that moment with them…in the very best vicarious manner.
And what I love more than anything is in looking at the list of the team leads for this historic project is the number of women listed in the team leads. WOMEN can do science. WOMEN can do math. WOMEN can send a small robot the size of a piano THREE BILLION miles away to give us the first, best look at the farthest planet in our solar system.
Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something. No matter who you are. No matter your age, gender, or ability. If you want to be a scientist – do it. Want to write the next best seller – DO IT. Want to learn to cook or paint or build houses? Don’t let anything stop you. And now, I need to go follow my own advice and write a best selling … something. 😎