"The more advanced a society is in spirituality, the more is that society or nation civilized."
--Swami Vivekananda, 1863-1902
A traveling robotic geologist, Mars Exploration Rover SPIRIT, landed on Mars in the Gusev Crater at 11:35 p.m. on January 3, 2004. Spirit cruised toward Mars for seven months travelling about 300 million miles. Gusev Crater, named for Russian astronomer Matvei Gusev, is an ancient meteorite impact crater located in the Aesis (tropical) region of Mars. It lies at the outlet of one of the longest valley systems on Mars, Ma'adim Vallis, Arabic for Red Planet, Qabbalistically denoting strength, force and vehemence.
As the buffalo personifies American spirit and the eagle is a symbol of independent spirit, Mars Exploration Rover SPIRIT represents the indomitable human spirit. Our optimism knows no bounds. We do not simply ask ARE WE ALONE? We search, we collaborate, we teach. The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. The SETI@Home Project, managed by a group of researchers at the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Sir Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and Royal Society Research Professor at Cambridge University and advanced thinker in the perception and understanding of our universe, ponders the question ARE WE ALONE? ( Big Val says this Royal Babe is never alone!)
In the stories of The Martian Chronicals, Ray Bradbury criticizes mankind and its "misapplication of science to avaricious ends." Let's hope that the Mars Exploration Rover SPIRIT is questing Ma'adim Valles for answers to the questions regarding the possiblity of sentient life in the universe and not to ultimately strip our neighboring planets of resources, of harmony, of SPIRIT.
