Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking was convinced that if mankind wants to survive, it must leave the blue planet – in 100 years.
Cambridge – How long will we humans still be on earth? Increasingly extreme weather events * and increasing energy consumption inevitably mean that we have to ask ourselves this question. During his lifetime, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking also dealt intensively with the continued existence of mankind. Before his death, he declared that our species must leave the planet within 100 years.
Climate change, asteroid impacts, epidemics and population growth could soon make the earth uninhabitable, Hawking warned in a BBC documentary in 2017. Under the title “Expedition New Earth”, the documentary was also devoted to the question of how realistic it is to colonize other celestial bodies.
Stephen Hawking: Genius advised people to move to other planets
Stephen Hawking was convinced that if mankind carries on as before, the earth could be destroyed in less than 600 years. His vision: people have to leave the blue planet in 100 years. To advance this goal, Hawking supported the “Breakthrough Starshot” project during his lifetime, which at some point plans to shoot a tiny probe to the Alpha Centauri – one of the closest stars in our solar system. Scientists believe Alpha Centauri could host planets where life could arise, like on Earth.
In order to reach Alpha Centauri, which is around four light years away, the probe should fly at a fifth of the speed of light. According to this calculation, it would arrive within around 20 years. Hawking could also imagine a future life for humans on Mars. Space agencies like NASA have long since chosen Mars as the target of manned missions. Recently, however, researchers found that life on Mars may not be possible *.
Stephen Hawking: Theories that matter
In his theories, Hawking dealt with completely different, man-made causes that threaten the universe. Stephen Hawking also warned against artificial intelligence (AI) *. “We have to move forward with the development of artificial intelligence, but we also have to be aware of its very real dangers,” the physicist told the computer magazine wired.com . * BW24 is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Andy Rain / dpa
