In the old television series, Star Trek, the opening credits describe outer space as “the final frontier.” After we have explored everything on our local planet, to where do our eyes turn? And it still taunts us, inviting us to probe its mysteries with our little machines and our curious minds.
But in the background, as in this painting by Bruegel, we are reminded of the dangers of hubris: flying too high, too close to danger.
Do you know the story of Icarus and Daedalus? Who first recorded it or told it best?
As we gaze at the stars at night (if we can find them with the light “pollution”), what are we seeing? Why have we longingly gazed up to see the constellations and suggestions of earthly stories captured in schematics in the sky?
So, let’s go on a trip: