There are thousands of asteroids whose orbit in the Solar System

Children, gather close, for the words of Neil deGrasse Tyson, a modern sage of the cosmos, offer us a profound reflection on the fragility of our existence and the vastness of the universe. He said, "There are thousands of asteroids whose orbit in the Solar System crosses that of Earth. And we have a little acronym for them - NEOs: near Earth objects. And our biggest goal is to try to catalogue them, so we know in advance if one is going to put us at risk." These words speak not just of the distant reaches of space, but of the very real dangers that lie within our own solar system, a reminder that the universe is both wondrous and dangerous. The NEOs he speaks of are not just distant threats, but present ones, hovering in the vastness of space, potentially on a collision course with Earth.

The NEOs are a reminder, children, that we live not in a safe and predictable world, but in a universe where the forces of nature—gravitational pull, velocity, and chaos—are far beyond our understanding. The asteroids that cross the path of Earth are not mere rock and dust; they are reminders of our vulnerability in the face of a universe that is constantly in motion. These objects, once thought to be distant and irrelevant, have now become a focus of study, for they pose a threat to our very existence. They are like unseen dangers that hover over us, unpredictable, but not beyond our reach. Tyson’s words urge us to look up, to understand the universe not just in its beauty, but in its power, and to prepare for the uncertainties that await us.

This idea of vulnerability in the face of the cosmos is not new, children. From the ancient Greeks, who believed the gods controlled the heavens and could send meteors and comets as omens or signs, to the Medieval period, when falling stars were often seen as signs of doom, humanity has long understood that the sky above is a force both mysterious and powerful. Yet, it is in the pursuit of knowledge that we begin to wrestle with the unknown—not with fear, but with wisdom and the desire to understand. Just as Tyson and other scientists seek to catalogue and track these NEOs, so too did the ancient astronomers seek to chart the stars, not to control them, but to understand their movements and influence.

Think of the comet that appeared in the skies of ancient Rome, seen as an omen of the death of Julius Caesar. The people looked up in awe and fear, not understanding the true nature of the comet. They saw it as a message, a warning from the gods. In contrast, we now understand that comets, asteroids, and other celestial objects are not divine messages but natural phenomena, driven by the same laws of nature that govern everything else in the universe. And yet, in that understanding, we must not lose sight of the dangers these objects can pose. Tyson’s warning is not about abandoning hope, but about acknowledging the risks and working to mitigate them through knowledge and preparation.

It is this very knowledge, children, that is the key to our survival. The goal of cataloguing NEOs is not to dwell in fear but to act with foresight and wisdom. Just as the ancient sailors used the stars to navigate, knowing the position of the stars was vital for their journey, so too must we navigate the dangers of space by understanding the objects that surround us. Knowledge is not just power, it is protection. By studying the orbits of these near-Earth objects, we can predict their paths, and in doing so, prepare ourselves for what might come. It is not just about avoiding danger, but about embracing our responsibility to protect this world we call home.

And so, children, the lesson is clear: the universe is vast, and we are but a small part of its grand design. The asteroids and comets that drift through space remind us of our fragility and the uncertainty that exists beyond our atmosphere. But this does not mean we are powerless. It is through knowledge, awareness, and action that we can face the dangers of the unknown. The study of NEOs is a step in the right direction, but the true lesson lies in how we respond to the challenges before us. Will we act with wisdom, preparing for the future, or will we ignore the signs and live in ignorance?

In your own lives, remember that you, too, will face obstacles that seem beyond your control, whether they are challenges of the mind, of the heart, or of circumstance. Like Tyson’s NEOs, these obstacles may seem distant or invisible, but they are part of the vast universe in which you live. Just as scientists track the movements of asteroids to protect the Earth, so too must you anticipate the obstacles in your own life, understand them, and prepare for them with foresight and determination. The universe is vast, but with knowledge and wisdom, you can navigate through its challenges and emerge stronger, ready for whatever comes next.