[Thus], to describe and maintain something as a ‘world’, does (and requires) cultural work. Exoplantet astronomers make worlds constantly, and attending to how and why they do might open ways "‘world” can be more richly used by analysts involved in conversations concerning the planetary. “World” unlike “planet”, connotes an inextricable linking between Earth and humanity. It is this relationship that astronomers leverage. “World” elevates the exoplanet above a scientific thing, marking it as something, someplace, that is relatable to our own experience and existence. - reading Lisa Messeri’s book Placing Outer Space for research on imagination and space exploration.

What are the definitions of 'world'?
What role does imaginairies (such as collective imaginings through sci-fi narratives), play in vizualizing alien worlds?
What are important cultural differences and biases in imagining alien worlds and building definitions?
Astronomers are trained in reading light curve graphs - recognizing 'worlds' not 'planets' (as Messeri states), what do they 'see'? And how is this 'seeing' conneted to understanding?

Sunrise at 05.30 am, at Brac Coatia.

#sunrise #helloworld #croatia #philosophy #space #moon #planet #scifi