WHAT WILL WE MISS?

Hello, this is KRISH, and let's take a fascinating journey into the future. In the year 6009, a peculiar quirk of our numeral system will occur – the first time since 1961 that a year, when written in Hindu-Arabic numerals, can be inverted and still look the same. It's a curious observation, but sadly, you and I might not be around to witness this numerical anomaly. The brevity of human life limits our experiences, and there's a myriad of captivating events we'll likely miss out on.

Consider the time pyramid in Wemding, Germany, a curious project that is slowly taking shape. With the intention of adding a concrete block every 10 years, the pyramid, begun in 1993, is a gradual work in progress. If this pace persists, it won't be completed until the year 3183. The final block, symbolizing the labor of our great-great-great-...-great-grandchildren, will mark its conclusion. Unfortunately, we won't be there to witness its final form.

Moving to a more somber note, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, tainted by radioactive contamination from the catastrophic 1986 incident, will remain unsafe for human activity for an extended period. While Earth continues its journey through the centuries, the zone is projected to only become safe around the year 22,000. This means that it might take more than a millennium for our descendants to explore this zone without risk.

Looking to the cosmos, future generations will witness spectacular celestial displays that we will most likely miss. Stars like Betelgeuse and Eta Carinae are expected to explode in brilliant supernovas, potentially turning Earth's sky into a twin-sun spectacle for a few weeks. However, it's unlikely we'll be around to see these two suns temporarily lighting up our skies.

Yet, the grandest show in the cosmic theater is projected to occur in about 3.75 billion years. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is filled with stars that twinkle like droplets of milk in the night sky. But there's another droplet out there – the Andromeda Galaxy, located about 2.5 million light-years away. Andromeda is heading our way at a breathtaking speed of 300 kilometers per second, faster than a bullet. Though it may seem static from our current perspective, the galactic collision between Andromeda and the Milky Way is inevitable. In about 2 billion years, Andromeda will loom large in our sky, and in around 3.75 billion years, the night sky will transform into a breathtaking display as the two galaxies merge. During this cosmic dance, new stars will form, and the once-distinct galaxies will blend together into a glorious tapestry of light.

This celestial merger is just a snapshot of the vastness and dynamism of our universe. While it would be a privilege to witness such cosmic phenomena, there's an array of earthly events we'll miss as well. The Moon, our ever-faithful companion, is gradually distancing itself from Earth. In about 600 million years, the Moon will no longer completely eclipse the Sun during solar eclipses, depriving future inhabitants of experiencing this celestial dance.

On a more geological scale, iconic landmarks like Niagara Falls and Mount Rushmore are also changing. The relentless force of Niagara Falls erodes rock at its crest, moving the falls backward by about a foot each year. By around 52,000, the falls will have retreated all the way to Lake Erie, leaving our descendants without the spectacle of Niagara Falls.

Even the grandeur of Mount Rushmore, a testament to human artistry, will fade over time. The slow process of erosion, as granite sheds about an inch every 10,000 years, will eventually erase the iconic faces carved into the mountain.

Similarly, the majestic rings of Saturn, an awe-inspiring sight through telescopes, are also experiencing change. Over the next 50 to 100 million years, these ethereal rings will dissipate, leaving Saturn transformed and different from our familiar image.

As we ponder the events we'll miss, let's not forget the importance of the present moment. While we won't be able to witness these distant future phenomena, we're fortunate to experience our own journey through life. From the moment of conception to the wonders of gestation and birth, our existence is marked by extraordinary events that shape our understanding of the world.

We can catch a glimpse of our beginnings through calculators that reveal the probable week of our conception and birth, accompanied by the top songs and movies of that time. Just as photons embark on a journey from the heart of stars, slowly making their way to the surface before reaching our eyes, our own journey is one of growth and discovery.

In the grand scheme of things, our lives are brief yet significant. While we may not witness the future supernovas, galactic collisions, or evolving landmarks, we are each a vital part of this intricate cosmic story. Our lives hold their own wonders, and the experiences we gather during our time on Earth contribute to the ongoing tapestry of human existence. So, while the universe unfolds its spectacular events, we can find solace in knowing that our own lives are part of the grand narrative, making our own unique mark on history.