--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We still don't know for sure what the…" description: "\"We still don't know for sure what the trigger was, but since we've discovered meteorites with supernova dust, we do know that a violent explosion rocke..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_birth_we-still-don-t-know-for-sure-what-the-tr_1308742.jpg" --- # We still don't know for sure what the trigger was, but… ![“We still don't know for sure what the trigger was, but since we've discovered meteorites with supernova dust, we do know that a violent explosion rocked our cosmic neighborhood at the time of our birth, and it's quite possible that without it, our stable, stately solar system would never exist at…” quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_birth_we-still-don-t-know-for-sure-what-the-tr_1308742.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_birth_we-still-don-t-know-for-sure-what-the-tr_1308742.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36f/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_birth_we-still-don-t-know-for-sure-what-the-tr_1308742.jpg) > “We still don't know for sure what the trigger was, but since we've discovered meteorites with supernova dust, we do know that a violent explosion rocked our cosmic neighborhood at the time of our birth, and it's quite possible that without it, our stable, stately solar system would never exist at all.” [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A nearby supernova likely shaped our solar system, suggesting cosmic events can enable planetary stability. **In simple terms:** A supernova may have helped create our solar system. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of cosmic forces in our existence. Themes cosmology origin planetary formation Mood wonder curiosity humble Type scientific educational When to use this quote - space research - education - public outreach - science policy - philosophical reflection Key Concepts stellar explosions galactic environment anthropic principle Questions to Reflect On - How might our understanding change if new data disproves this? - What responsibilities do we have to protect Earth's environment? A Different Perspective The hypothesis remains speculative without direct evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Explosions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explosions/) [Neighborhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighborhood/) [Solar system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solar-system/) [Triggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triggers/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [Hunting for meteorites is like trying to find a pebble on miles of beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/hunting-for-meteorites-is-like-trying-to-find-a-pebble-on-miles-of/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [But one of the coolest things about meteorites is that most were formed four-and-a-half-billion years ago, during the birth of our solar system, when,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/but-one-of-the-coolest-things-about-meteorites-is-that-most-were/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Luckily, there are some rocks left over from our earliest days, asteroids formed during our solar system's birth. Occasionally, some of them drop in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/luckily-there-are-some-rocks-left-over-from-our-earliest-days/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [One trait stands out in nearly all meteorites: metal; they've got it. So, the best way to find a meteorite is to hear it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/one-trait-stands-out-in-nearly-all-meteorites-metal-they-ve-got-it-so/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Like a snowplow in overdrive, a supernova shockwave might sweep away any gas clouds in its path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/like-a-snowplow-in-overdrive-a-supernova-shockwave-might-sweep-away/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [A supernova is one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. It's so luminous, it can be seen across billions of light years.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/a-supernova-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-explosions-in-the-universe-it/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“Meteorites are not just in the sky; get down on the subway of a city, and you will find people who do not know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/meteorites-are-not-just-in-the-sky-get-down-on-the-subway-of-a-city/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The meteorites of 1908 and 1947 had struck uninhabited wilderness; but by the end of the twenty-first century there was no region left on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/the-meteorites-of-1908-and-1947-had-struck-uninhabited-wilderness-but/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Do you realize that we're meteorites; almost as soon as we're born, we have to disappear?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iannis-xenakis/do-you-realize-that-we-re-meteorites-almost-as-soon-as-we-re-born-we/) [Iannis Xenakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iannis-xenakis/) > [“I always thought I was happy being the dark star to your supernova.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-always-thought-i-was-happy-being-the-dark-star-to-your-supernova/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I think that we are like stars. Something happens to burst us open; but when we burst open and think we are dying; were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/i-think-that-we-are-like-stars-something-happens-to-burst-us-open-but/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [“himself like a comet.” “A supernova,” Venable said. “He went back to traditional values”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-johansen/himself-like-a-comet-a-supernova-venable-said-he-went-back-to/) [Iris Johansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-johansen/) > [“Data. That’s what matters. That’s what tells us something. But people want to see pictures. Supernova in vivid color. Even though scientifically it’s useless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-sakey/data-that-s-what-matters-that-s-what-tells-us-something-but-people/) [Marcus Sakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-sakey/) > [What a dull universe it would be if everything in it conformed to our expectations, if it held nothing to surprise or baffle us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/what-a-dull-universe-it-would-be-if-everything-in-it-conformed-to-our/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [ The Doctor: This is bad, I don't like this. \[kicks console and yells in pain\] Never use force, you just embarrass yourself. Unless you're… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-moffat/the-doctor-this-is-bad-i-don-t-like-this-kicks-console-and-yells-in/) [Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-moffat/) ## More by Neil deGrasse Tyson > [I don't want to go into space because of war. I think we would if it was triggered. If China said they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-go-into-space-because-of-war-i-think-we-would-if-it/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Quantum physics fluctuates all the time. But now the fluctuations are not just particles coming into and out of existence, which happens all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/quantum-physics-fluctuates-all-the-time-but-now-the-fluctuations-are/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The Pacific is the best toilet for satellites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-pacific-is-the-best-toilet-for-satellites/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [... informed ignorance provides the natural state of mind for research scientists at the ever-shifting frontiers of knowledge. People who believe themselves ignorant of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/informed-ignorance-provides-the-natural-state-of-mind-for-research/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [If you seek only easy problems to solve, then ultimately, there'll be nothing about you to distinguish yourself from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/if-you-seek-only-easy-problems-to-solve-then-ultimately-there-ll-be/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The caricature of science is that we hold tight to the theories we have, and shun challenges to them. That's just not true. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-caricature-of-science-is-that-we-hold-tight-to-the-theories-we/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. Each discovery of science therefore adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/new-generations-of-humans-inherit-the-acquired-discoveries-of/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [I've said multiple times that the world's first trillionaire is going to be the person who exploits the resources of asteroids, the natural resources…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-ve-said-multiple-times-that-the-world-s-first-trillionaire-is-going/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [ They \[scientists of centuries past\] call on God only from the lonely and precarious edge of incomprehension. Where they feel certain about their explanations,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/they-scientists-of-centuries-past-call-on-god-only-from-the-lonely/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [We explore our environment, more than we are compelled to utter poetry, when we're toddlers. We start doing that later. Before that happens, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/we-explore-our-environment-more-than-we-are-compelled-to-utter-poetry/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [You can't have people making decisions about the future of the world who are scientifically illiterate. That's a recipe for disaster. And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/you-can-t-have-people-making-decisions-about-the-future-of-the-world/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Science surrounds you. It's not something that you can step aside, step over or push out of your way because you were never good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/science-surrounds-you-it-s-not-something-that-you-can-step-aside-step/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The idea that God resides in the unknown is what philosophers call the God of the gaps. And we have this thing called science,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-idea-that-god-resides-in-the-unknown-is-what-philosophers-call/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Everybody's got money for vacation time. Look at how much we all spend just to get - well, I get sick on the loop-the-loop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/everybody-s-got-money-for-vacation-time-look-at-how-much-we-all-spend/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) [Explore all 1,143 Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## More Birth quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The greatest mystery in life is not life itself, but death. Death is the culmination of life, the ultimate blossoming of life. In death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-greatest-mystery-in-life-is-not-life-itself-but-death-death-is/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It was no accident, no coincidence, that the seasons came round and round year after year. It was the Lord speaking to us all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/it-was-no-accident-no-coincidence-that-the-seasons-came-round-and/) [Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. 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