It is clear that a 1941 mystery may be coming true, as scientists agree that something strange is falling from space. It may very well be that the famous science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov’s short story, Reason, may be coming true. The story, Reason, mentioned a space station that harvested solar energy and used microwaves to beam the energy back to Earth. A mere speculation is slowly becoming a reality, with current discoveries suggesting that natural and artificial objects are falling from the sky. A 100-year-old prediction is now seen as reality.
Assessing the 1941 prediction from Isaac Asimov
The writer Isaac Asimov’s story involved two fictional characters, Powell and Donovan, who worked on a remote space station that generated power from sunlight in space and transmitted that power to plants through microwave beams. The initial concept of transmitting power from space was entirely fictional, however, it paved the way for space-based solar power (SBSP), whereby solar energy is collected in space in areas of intense sunlight and then the energy is beamed down to Earth.
Scientists and engineers have shown interest in SBSP since Peter Glaser put forward his proposal in the late 1960s. The challenge faced with SBSP is mainly the cost involved in larger-scale adoption. Something penned down back in 1941 became somewhat of a guide for what reality of the future may be.
Exploring the concept of objects falling from space
While Asimov’s concept of space-station microwaves seems completely unrelated to objects falling from the sky, there is certainly a link. While one entails objects travelling from space to Earth, the other entails microwave beams projecting energy back to Earth; both processes entail energy or matter partaking in a journey from space to Earth.
The reality is that there is more reaching the Earth than merely naturally occurring space dust. Also falling from the sky is:
- Debris and burnt-up satellites: Many rocket parts are returning to Earth’s atmosphere.
- Particles of metals in the stratosphere: A NOAA mission detected traces of metals embedded in stratospheric aerosols matching the alloys used in spacecraft and satellites.
- Meteorites: Meteorite falls occur, and fragments of meteorites have been found.
Debris and particles of matter falling from the sky signify that physical materials and kinetic energy are falling from the sky. However, in the story, Reason, it was solar energy falling from the sky. Nevertheless, all of the issues that Asimov raised after Reason have now become topics of scientific concern.
Understanding what strange objects falling from the sky could mean
While the idea of meteoric material and debris falling from the sky can be seen as an opportunity, there are, however, risks involved. The environment will suffer if objects are falling from the sky. Metals and alloys could affect the ozone layer and atmospheric chemistry. There are also safety risks involved, whereby falling debris could damage property and pose a threat to life as well. The debris that falls becomes the responsibility of citizens who are left to clean up the mess. Regulations may need to be put in place when it comes to debris as well as aestroids falling from the sky.
A century later, and things are falling from the sky
While strange things are falling from the sky, such as debris and rubble, this truth may very well be bridging the gap between reality and science fiction. The 1941 writer Isaac Asimov foresaw solar power beaming from space in his short story. While he imagined solar beams reaching Earth’s surface, energy and matter may be making its way from space to Earth.
With the turn of the next century, it is up to countries to seek out opportunities to minimize hazards linked to objects falling from the sky. While humans learn to cope with strange objects falling from the sky and while scientists look at understanding this uncanny occurrence, fact and fiction seem to collide. Nevertheless, the 100-year prediction surely does help. To date, NASA remains baffled by unknown objects nearing Earth, however, NASA continues to formulate theories.
