Observe beyond the earth and remember sky is not the limit.
That is a request from a space scientist, who is called as the 'Moon Man of India', Dr Mylswami Annadurai, who was the chief guest at the Annual Science Fiesta 2023 of India Science Forum held at Oman’s National University for Science and Technology.
Interacting with him, one realised, it was so easy to understand the distinguishing of reality and probability. Whether it is about aliens or the moon’s journey of evolution he was very clear about defining it as a reality and at the same time, quick to point out, ‘Cannot rule out.’
And I was under the impression that the scientists always stood their ground until proven scientifically otherwise. I now realised it is that option of ‘probability’ that keeps a scientists’ minds open. It is this openness that allows them to experiment and study endlessly.
It is this very factor that keeps them bouncing back if something does not meet their expectations. Go back to the project with a new start.
When did his fascination with moon begin?
He said it was in childhood. Sitting in his village, looking up at the moon and the stars while recollecting what the teacher had spoken about in the classroom regarding the celestial beings.
He said there was no disturbance or pollution and could see everything so clearly in the sky at night because his village did not have streetlights until he turned 10 years old. This meant they played when there was sunlight and when the darkness set in it was time to differentiate the stars and the planets. The moon looked fascinating but the planet that went on to become his favorite is the one with the rings - the Saturn.
Years later we can imagine how the young child’s curiosity must have gone on to create fascination when found the sun’s rays were causing the birth of water on moon.
He went on to write about all this in his vernacular language, Tamil, a book titled ‘Moon is within hand’s reach’.
Shouldn’t there be life where water is present, I couldn’t help but ask.
As of now no, but there could be a probability’ he replied.
You see how this word could work wonders. In today’s world where people react before knowing the complete truth here is a thought that gives room for probability and space for the benefit of doubt as in the case of the word ‘probably’.
If we look at it mathematically then we have have four options and they are classical, empirical, subjective and axiomatic.
Scientists can also speak hypothetically and realistically as well as practically and technically at the same time poetically too.
It is interesting because by second nature they could analyze each situation with probabilities so they are never caught off guard. It is the others who want to see the world either black or white. The reality has been and could be that there is a whole lot of grey there.
We tend to stereotype people, and in a way it could be because it comforts us thinking we know what to expect. The reality is each person’s personalities differ and accordingly their response might differ.
Unlike animals that follow their instincts, humans can be influenced also by their environment and circumstances.
Both animals and humans find that experiences can change them especially when it comes to trust.
When the world is with people fighting against each other’s principles and policies, scientists might be one group of people who might be observing us too. After all humans are too, fascinating subjects. And that is how probably Anthropology came into being. Someone must have been observing the big picture.
Dr Annadurai while speaking on the podcast said let the youngsters see as much as the night sky as possible no matter if there is pollution or not. Besides technology helps us see what is millions of km away.
He said more we expose ourselves to the space, the more meaningful our life would be. We realise how we are part of this vast universe.
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