NEW CASTLE —
The end of one year and the start of another creates an opportunity for reflection and prediction.
Reflecting on the past year may help in formulating goals for the future. There’s definite value in that.
Making predictions about what’s to come is a somewhat risky business. Make the right call and you look like a genius. Get it wrong and you can make yourself seem silly.
Yet there are no shortages of predictions being offered for 2013. We take many of these with a grain of salt. But one in particular caught our attention, because it was — in a way — quite startling.
Many astronomers expect the first Earth-like planet outside the solar system will be discovered this year.
This isn’t merely wishful thinking. Advancing technology and improved analysis have allowed astronomers to confirm an increasing number of planets circling stars in the galaxy.
At first, only large, gaseous planets — akin to Jupiter — were found. But improved techniques have started to locate smaller planets.
What’s more, researchers are getting better at assessing how far from their stars these planets orbit. That’s a key factor in determining if a planet could be similar to Earth.
Of course, no one is predicting any confirmation that such a planet will support life. It may be roughly the same size as Earth and orbiting its sun at a distance that makes it neither too hot nor too cold. But that’s not enough to ascertain whether it actually supports life.
So far, it remains mere speculation that life exists on other planets in the galaxy. But with billions of stars in the Milky Way, most astronomers find it unlikely that Earth is alone as a planet supporting life.
But that’s just speculation, not fact. We know that water and various chemicals are necessary for supporting life on Earth, and it’s presumed these would be needed for life on other worlds. However, even the presence of these building blocks may not be enough to ensure life.
Scientists are at a disadvantage in assessing not only the chances for life elsewhere, but what it would look like. With Earth as our only real frame of reference, much of this is a guessing game.
And then there’s the matter of the potential for intelligent life on other planets. That’s a whole new can of worms.
For years now, efforts have been under way to scan the stars for radio signals that would confirm the presence of advanced life on other worlds. So far, there has been nothing.
But the effort has been hampered by the fact no one knew where to look. If technology is nearing the ability to identify earthlike planets, it will lead to refinement in the search for intelligence.
Editorials
Our Opinion: Planetary prediction Astronomers expect to find places similar to Earth
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Our Opinion: Lousy voter turnout is a missed opportunity
Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County had its share of winners and losers. But — based on the numbers — the biggest winner has to be voter apathy. Countywide, voter turnout in the primary was a whopping 17.1 percent. In case you missed it, our use of the term “whopping” is sarcasm.
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Our Opinion: Pennsylvania’s primary system is controlled by parties
Should Pennsylvania’s primaries be open to independent voters? That’s an interesting question and one we have explored in the past on this page.
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Our Opinion: State audit says city school district failed to collect from non-residents
Audit information about non-resident students who didn’t pay tuition at New Castle raises more questions than it answers. At least so far. We expect more details when the Pennsylvania auditor general’s office completes its report and the New Castle school district provides its response.
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Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow
So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.
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Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
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Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
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Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
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Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
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Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
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Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
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