In many of our popular science fiction stories, characters either come from or visit planets that orbit two or more suns.  I’ve often given this kind of solar system design some thought as I try to comprehend Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity and how the gravitational planes would work in these scenarios.  I must say … it’s an interesting study.

Scientists at NASA have recently used the Spitzer Space Telescope to examine quite a few of these systems looking for the potential of planets.  Because our telescopes can’t directly see planets at such a distance, what the scientists did instead was examine the dusty disks that surround each system.  The idea is that if gaps in the disks exist, there is the potential that planetary bodies have swept the area clear of debris (much like the 8 planets in our system have done).

Oddly enough, what scientists have found is that planets are just as likely around these stars as they are around single-star systems.  Since most of our galaxy is made up of multi-starred systems, this opens up huge areas of real-estate where we can look for signs of life, or even potentially colonize in the next millenium.

No matter how often I hear of these discoveries, I’m always impressed by how much we can learn about the universe from our tiny vantage point.  I grew up watching Star Trek, and the crews that manned these incredibly powerful starships had technologies light years ahead of ours.  Despite this technology, they would continue to venture out to witness first hand many of the great wonders of our little corner of the galaxy.

When I consider the technologies that we have today, with the technologies that we may have in 50 years, I’m forced to ask myself “Will we ever need to leave our little solar system?”.  As it is, our technology is growing by leaps and bounds.  Sure, by the time we start colonizing planets other than Mars we will likely have vessels that could travel at near-lightspeed, if not faster.  Einstein’s theoretical speed limit is just begging to be broken.  But if we can learn so much about the universe from an insignificant section of it … would we ever need to leave the comfort of home?