"It's like trying to describe what you feel when you're standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon or remembering your first love or the birth of your child. You have to be there to really know what it's like."
Harrison Schmitt
Astronaut
Harrison Schmitt is a former NASA astronaut and geologist, notable for being the only scientist to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission.
- Born
- June 3, 1935
- Quotes
- 11
- Rank
- #5515
About Harrison Schmitt
Harrison Schmitt — Life and Legacy
Harrison Schmitt, a distinguished geologist and former NASA astronaut, is renowned for his pivotal role in the Apollo 17 mission, where he became the first scientist to walk on the Moon. His unique background in geology allowed him to approach lunar exploration with a scientific lens, emphasizing the importance of empirical research in understanding celestial bodies. Schmitt's assertion that 'The Moon is a great teacher' encapsulates his belief in the educational potential of space exploration, suggesting that the Moon offers invaluable lessons about Earth's own history and the universe at large. His quotes often reflect a deep commitment to scientific inquiry, as seen in his statement, 'Science is a way of thinking.' This perspective highlights his view that scientific exploration is not merely about accumulating knowledge but involves a critical and questioning mindset essential for progress. Schmitt's experiences challenge the notion that exploration is solely for adventure; instead, he advocates for a purpose-driven approach that benefits society through scientific advancements. Today, Schmitt's insights remain relevant as humanity continues to explore beyond our planet. His emphasis on the intersection of science and exploration inspires a new generation to pursue knowledge, reminding us that the quest for understanding is as vital as the discoveries themselves.
Quote collection
Harrison Schmitt quotes
11 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"But I don't think we'll go there until we go back to the moon and develop a technology base for living and working and transporting ourselves through space."
"Time is, in fact, a cross to bear, it passes on inexorably and remorselessly, destroying everything in its wake, save art and works of the intellect."
"The 'global warming scare' is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision making. It has no place in the Society's activities."
"As a geologist, I love Earth observations, but it is ridiculous to tie this objective to a 'consensus' that humans are causing global warming when human experience, geologic data and history, and current cooling can argue otherwise. 'Consensus,' as many have said, merely represents the absence of definitive science. You know as well as I, the 'global warming scare' is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision making."
"Nothing in the Constitution of the United States gives the Congress or the Executive Branch the power to attempt the task of regulating climate, as impossible as that would be under any realistic scenarios. No national security emergency exists relative to climate that would warrant increased governmental control of energy production. Today's Americans have an obligation to future Americans to elect leaders who do not believe in an omnipotent government but believe, as did the Founders, in limited government, and in the preservation of liberty and the natural rights of the people."
"I don't think the human effect [of climate change] is significant compared to the natural effect."
"It might be helpful to realize, that very probably the parents of the first native born Martians are alive today."
"In Antarctica, it looks like the total volume (of ice) is increasing and if that's true, that's probably why you're getting increased ice moving away from the center of the continent and therefore these big icebergs and stuff are breaking off."
"Several indisputable facts appear evident in geological and climate science that make me a true 'denier' of human-caused global warming."
"[T]he great champion of the opponents of liberty, namely communism, had to find some other place to go and they basically went into the environmental movement."