HONG KONG: Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking says man may reach the moon and establish settlements there within 20 years. He also predicts a human colony on Mars by 2046.
The 64-year-old, wheel-chair-bound British scientist, ailing from a rare neurological disorder called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, warned of an increasing risk of a disaster that will destroy Earth and it is imperative for the survival of the human race that man finds new habitations elsewhere.
On a visit to Hong Kong, he told a news conference that space exploration is essential to ensure the survival of human race in the light of possible nuclear wars and the reducing resources on Earth.
He told mediapersons, "It is important for the human race to spread out into space for the survival of the species. Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of.
"We won't find anywhere as nice as Earth unless we go to another star system."
Hawking, who has authored the best-selling book, "A Brief History of Time," is to deliver a lecture on "The Origin Of The Universe" at the Hong Kong University Thursday. He was given a rock star style welcome on reaching Hong Kong.
He said if humans can avoid killing themselves in the next 100 years, they should have space settlements that can continue without support from Earth.
One of the best-known theoretical physicists, Hawking has done pioneering research on black holes and the origins of the universe. One of his theories says space and time have no beginning and no end.
Hawking also announced at the news conference that he is planning to team up with his 35-year-old daughter Lucy Hawking to write a children's book about the universe. The book will target the same age group that the Harry Potter series target at.
