"Space Telescope Launches Friday to Find New Earths"

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504747,00.html

Rating: GOOD

Explanation:

“If Friday's launch goes according to plan and successfully lobs NASA's new Kepler space telescope into orbit, the mission stands to potentially change the way we look at the universe.”

NASA is trying to answer the everlasting question, is there life on planets other than earth? The 600 million dollar telescope is equipped with a 95 mega pixel lens and is programmed to study 100,000 different stars while in space. For those who do not understand the significance of a 95 mega pixel lens, your standard camera at your local electronic store is around ten mega pixels, if you are willing to spend your months pay check, then maybe 12 mega pixels. The discovery of new planets which can support life I believe will lead to new advancements in technology. If nothing else, the possibility of needing a new place to inhabit is increasing as the population grows. This telescope could be the first step to finding a new home. Meeting a new race of beings, although potentially dangerous, could also lead to learning parts of science which currently cannot even be conceived or maybe a cure for disease such as cancer. Just as a newborn moves around the outdoors and proceeds to learn new life altering facts, we need to move around the universe and hope to make a few life altering discoveries. With the potential for new discoveries, NASA gets a GOOD rating.