The Night Sky

Here are Sol's closest neighbors out to 15 light years.  Interesting to note that as of May 2008 the Voyager 1 spacecraft has gone approximately 0.0017 light years from the sun (moving at 17 km/s).  It has something like 40,000 years to go before it passes even close to another star!  

The magnitude of time and distance is hard to comprehend at times.  Beyond the fantasies of science fiction can one really imaging journeying to the stars?  It's been 50 years since man has gone into space.  What will the next 50 years bring?  Mars?  Could you imagine the Earth being overcrowded and Conestoga like journeys to Mars to start a fresh?  Is there a Columbus who just decides to head out on a one way trip through the solar system.  Would you leave all behind for a one way trip to see something no man has seen before?