Madam, - It is difficult to reconcile Kevin Myers's diatribe against space exploration, with the lauding of its benefits, such as communications satellites (An Irishman's Diary, January 5th)
In the wake of the recent tsunami, other disasters are out there waiting to happen. Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter lie the asteroid belt, populated by minor planets and large, irregular chunks of rock, mostly travelling in stately procession around the Sun.
Some of these asteroids, however, have highly elliptical orbits, such as the aptly named "Icarus" which causes it to swing within the orbit of Mercury. Comets have wildly eccentric orbits, often unpredictably so, and the prospects of impacts from these near-earth objects can easily be imagined.
The worst such disaster in the last century occurred in 1908, fortunately in a sparsely populated area of Siberia, causing minimal loss of life. The Gulf of Mexico is considered by geologists to have been formed from an impact crater.
The question is not if, but when, the next catastrophe will occur. Scientists are seeking ways of detecting, predicting and ultimately deflecting any rogue bodies out there that may be heading this way.
Far from being "an utter folly", space exploration offers us our only chance of survival in this future scenario.
It is easy to be wise after the event; the trick is to be aware, and prepare in advance, regardless of the cost. - Yours, etc.,
EAMON KENNY, Stepaside, Dublin 18.