Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us;
Let us journey to a lonely land I know.
There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us,
And the Wild is calling, calling . . . let us go.

Robert Service

It’s challenging, and frightening to contemplate that our solar system might be so unique, as to be in effect alone in our Galaxy.
It is sobering, and terrifying to realize that a super-volcano, or an asteroid could end our reality in a day.
The prospect of abundant worlds similar to our Earth is powerfully compelling, and exhilarating, even though they may forever remain beyond our reach.