Nasa’s Osiris-Rex capsule dropped onto Utah’s West Desert on 4^th September after having completed a seven-year mission designed to obtain dust from the surface of the asteroid Bennu. Its arrival was eagerly anticipated by scientists hoping to identify some of the building blocks of the Universe, and potentially shed some light on the formation of the Earth. Erik Strandness explores some of the theological and philosophical implications of this project

Harvesting the soil of an asteroid whose course and location were discerned by inhabitants of a uniquely located, life enabling, consciousness nurturing celestial orb makes one wonder if what Carl Sagan described as an insignificant pale blue dot should more accurately be described as an exceptionally “privileged planet”. It is a planet populated by truly remarkable creatures capable of not only making detailed astronomical observations and asking questions about its origins, but also technologically adept enough to design and send rockets into space to dig around for some answers. 

What is it that causes us to look to the heavens? Is it the siren song of space… (Register to read the rest of the article)