There must be enormous numbers of planets around the stars in the many galaxies in our observable universe. We may be sure that wonderful things are happening on these planets that the human race never will observe.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the vastness of the universe and the likelihood of unknown wonders existing on distant planets.
Jim Peebles emphasizes the enormity of the universe and suggests that with countless planets orbiting stars across galaxies, there are bound to be extraordinary phenomena occurring beyond our perception. This statement invites us to reflect on the limits of human observation and to appreciate the mysteries of the cosmos that remain hidden from us.
In practice
During a lecture on astronomy, to inspire wonder about the universe.
We often say that our science is objective and accurate, but we don't often say that our science is incomplete - that although the established parts of natural science are very well tested and the evidence makes a compelling case for things being as they've been described, there nevertheless are open questions that we cannot answer.
Two thousand scientists, in a hundred countries, engaged in the most elaborate, well organized scientific collaboration in the history of humankind, have produced long-since a consensus that we will face a string of terrible catastrophes unless we act to prepare ourselves and deal with the underlying causes of global warming.
It is certainly true in the United States that there is an uneasiness about certain aspects of science, particularly evolution, because it conflicts, in some people's minds, with their sense of how we all came to be. But you know, if you are a believer in God, it's hard to imagine that God would somehow put this incontrovertible evidence in front of us about our relationship to other living organisms and expect us to disbelieve it. I mean, that doesn't make sense at all.
My own experience of over 60 years in biomedical research amply demonstrated that without the use of animals and of human beings, it would have been impossible to acquire the important knowledge needed to prevent much suffering and premature death not only among humans but also among [other] animals.
'It worked.' (said after witnessing the first atomic detonation).
Scientists tend to build a reputation on refuting the theories of those who have gone before. Yet, whatever we hypothesize, observe, measure or record about the natural world, it leaves more unanswered questions.
The brightest flashes in the world of thought are incomplete until they have been proven to have their counterparts in the world of fact.
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