“THE” Question
Everyone has the one burning question, just in different forms. Where did we come from? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy says “42″. Well, some mind-wandering and Wikipedia searches makes me think “42″ isn’t too odd or cryptic an answer.
There are four major moons that orbit Jupiter; Io, Europa, Ganymede and Calysto. The man who originally discovered them gave them these names based off of Greek mythology’s lovers of Zeus (who Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of). Until the mid-20th century, they were not referred to by these names, but instead numerically. That is to say ‘Io’ was ‘Jupiter I’.
Now, if you look at astrological signs, Jupiter’s very much resembles the number ‘4′. So in essence, you could refer to Europa as ‘42′. There is the number connection. Thing is, astronomers have found Europa has a vast ocean of frozen water just under it’s surface. It is the most plausable place in our solar system (other than Earth) that could potentially support life; even if it is just bacteria and single cell organisms. Much like where life began on Earth.
So maybe the 42 means to look at Europa for the answer. Maybe seeing life in the beginning and evolving is the best way to answer the question. Maybe Douglas Adams was on the right track after all!
Tags: 42, europa, hitchhiker guide, jupiter, meaning of life