An amateur astronomer in Australia was the first to see the comet slam into Jupiter a few days ago, raising questions about how well prepared we are to detect something big heading our way, and if we did detect it, what could we do about it. Another question is if a large planet killing rock is discovered heading our way should people be told they have x days to live. Some would prefer not to know, others would want a last chance to tell that special someone that they love them. Or would the planet erupt in mayhem as millions of people get even with whoever they have always wanted to get even with. But what happens if the astronomers are wrong? What happens if the comet misses? Can you undo telling your best friend’s wife you love her? Can you bring the neighbor who spoke ill of you back to life? Serious questions. And perhaps a more serious question is why are we dependent upon amateur astronomers to find these things?
The amateur the heavens scanned
And then with barely trembling hand
He cleaned the lens to calm his growing fright
A great big rock showed in his ‘scope
Mistake, he thought, his only hope
And scanned again to see if he was right
Oh no, he said on second glance
That big old rock sure has a chance
Of hitting pretty close to where we are
And that, his Aussie buddy said
Means pretty soon we’ll all be dead
Methinks the thing is quite a bit bizarre
Let’s have a look, see what we’ve got
A little time or quite a lot
Aha! I see we’ve hours till impact
We’ll spend it wisely, you and I
By staring ‘tently at the sky
Except for us I’ll bet the thing’s untracked
Ya think we should alert the press
Inform the public of the mess
About to come our way from outer space
Or should we let them go their way
We shouldn’t need to spoil their day
Though perhaps they need some time to die in grace
It’s too late now, his buddy yelled
And dropped the ‘scope that he had held
And ran about the room in sudden fear
It’s on us now and that’s a fact
It’s minutes now we have to act
And what is worse we’re almost out of beer