Walking my dog tonight, I was quite struck by the clear sky - dominated low in the South-East by Mars shining ruddily. That planet, our celestial second nearest neighbour, is due to be visited by a number of spacecraft over the next year or so - wouldn't it be marvellous if one of them found signs of life having existed there?
Ever since the very first glimmerings of my interest in astronomy, I've wondered whether there's life out there somewhere. I truly hope we'll find the answer to that question during my lifetime - perhaps my wish will be granted...