posted 12-08-2003 06:32 PM            

Nothing particularly wrong with the idea except in Columbiad's case their small sounding rocket based service will eject and spread the deceased ashes into the Earth's upper atmosphere where - they say - the larger pieces will fall 'straight down' to Earth and the finer particles will cruise the upper atmospheric layers for a while .

Now, do I really want this to happen to the atmosphere that I breathe in every day?
I know we are making a pretty job of fouling up and crippling our home planet but this is an overkill (no pun intended).

I know they are only small amounts but its the sheer idea of someone elses body bits - even if cremated - polluting our breathable atmosphere . I suppose its not much different to cremation at sea or being scattered in a forest , garden or cremation ground. But,at least,most of these latter ones are in one 'spot' whereas being scattered in upper atmosphere spreads the dust around.

I originally though the Celestis programme
was a 'cool way' to be disposed of when I die as I thought they were going to send their payloads into deep space away from earth and the Moon But this was not the case as their payloads are in earth orbit - albeit for a few hundred years or so. You can even get two line elments for their orbits and track them on your home computer satellite tracking programmes! But,one day they will reenter.

The amount is miniscule when compared against the million tons or so of cosmic dust that enter every day but at least that is none human. Of course,it may be ET's remains! Am I already breathing in ET remains ?

Oh no,what a thought -especially as I've got to bed now thinking of this :-)

Do I support it ? Am I against it? Am I going be indifferent?

I really don't know.

what your thoughts out there !

Bits of ET 'replying' don't count
Only homo sapiens please :-)