Space Exploration

[SergeantVol]

Depends on which "frame of reference" you are using.

The space traveler sees himself aging normally, while he sees the earthbound observer aging rapidly.

The earthbound observer sees themselves aging normally as the space the space traveler has found the fountain of youth.

Special Theory of Relativity - Special and General Relativity - The Physics of the Universe

Gravity is what causes us to age and affects time. With a lack of a gravitational pull you would be near ageless. However, without gravity you would have medical issues with internal organs, etc.

 

[Orange_Crush]

Can you imagine how many times you'd have to stop and pee

Well played. You may be one of my kids.

 

[W.TN.Orange Blood]

If you were driving at the speed of light and turned on your headlights, would they do anything?

-- Steven Wright

:question: Flying cars in space.....no way.

 

[golfballs]

Depends on which "frame of reference" you are using.

The space traveler sees himself aging normally, while he sees the earthbound observer aging rapidly.

The earthbound observer sees themselves aging normally as the space the space traveler has found the fountain of youth.

Special Theory of Relativity - Special and General Relativity - The Physics of the Universe

 

[IPleadInsanity]

There are plenty of missions that have been very successful as Velo_Vol said. However I would imagine there are many missions where it's simply data gathering on stars and whatnot. Maybe cutting more of these "curiosity" missions would help? I'm sure NASA has a list of high priority missions that rank above others.

I loved and followed closely the Mars Rover missions. Pretty cool but did we learn anything that was worth the cost? I mean we know a lot more about Mars, how does that help us here? If I had to contribute funds directly I would opt out if possible.

As far a space exploration, the possible hospitable places are too far away and probably inhabited. Its likely the next evolution "man to AI" might make space exploration possible.

 

[slobberknocker]

The truth is out there.

 

[PKT_VOL]

Interesting how the article cuts off and doesn't tell you how far these planets are away from the earth. But remember, a light year, which measures distance in space, equals 6 trillion miles. Let's say one of these planets is only 8 light years away from earth that would be speeding in space for 48 trillion miles to arrive at one planet. Do we not age while we are in space travel?

It depends on how fast one is traveling.

Remember, everything in the universe, you, me, a table, my dog, etc. are ALL traving through spacetime at the speed of light. The differentiating factor is how that velocity is broken down into the various space dimensions (X, Y, Z) and time.

If you are traveling very fast through space, you are travelling slower through time. Conversely, if you are not traveling very fast through spce, you would be traveling very fast through time.

Here an example: Let's say the speed of light is 100. If a space shuttle travels at 99 toward this new Earth-like planet, those on the space shuttle are only travelling at 1 through time. Remember, everyone and everything is traveling through spacetime at the speed of light (100). Thus, 100-99= 1.

So, from an aging perspective, it is quite nice that the Earth is spinning around its axis, spinning around the sun, around the Milky Way center, within the Virgo Supercluster, and finally as the supercluster moves through the universe. Basically, all this velocity that we don't feel due to constant velocity vs acceleration/deacceleration actually slows down time for us.

 

[PKT_VOL]

Gravity is what causes us to age and affects time. With a lack of a gravitational pull you would be near ageless. However, without gravity you would have medical issues with internal organs, etc.

Special Relativity vs General Relativity.

 

[slobberknocker]

It depends on how fast one is traveling.

Remember, everything in the universe, you, me, a table, my dog, etc. are ALL traving through spacetime at the speed of light. The differentiating factor is how that velocity is broken down into the various space dimensions (X, Y, Z) and time.

If you are traveling very fast through space, you are travelling lower through time. Conversely, if you are not traveling very fast through spce, you would be traveling very fast through time.

Here an example: Let's say the speed of light is 100. If a space shuttle travels at 99 toward this new Earth-like planet, those on the space shuttle are only travelling at 1 through time. Remember, everyone and everything is traveling through spacetime at the speed of light (100). Thus, 100-99= 1.

So, from an aging perspective, it is quite nice that the Earth is spinning around its axis, spinning around the sun, around the Milky Way center, within the Virgo Supercluster, and finally as the supercluster moves through the universe. Basically, all this velocity that we don't feel due to constant velocity vs acceleration/deacceleration actally slows down time for us.

Give me a few days to try and understand this. I'm just an old country boy from TN. I regret to this day I didn't follow my dream of being an Astronomer. Decides on politics and government service. Go figure.

 

[SergeantVol]

It depends on how fast one is traveling.

Remember, everything in the universe, you, me, a table, my dog, etc. are ALL traving through spacetime at the speed of light. The differentiating factor is how that velocity is broken down into the various space dimensions (X, Y, Z) and time.

If you are traveling very fast through space, you are travelling slower through time. Conversely, if you are not traveling very fast through spce, you would be traveling very fast through time.

Here an example: Let's say the speed of light is 100. If a space shuttle travels at 99 toward this new Earth-like planet, those on the space shuttle are only travelling at 1 through time. Remember, everyone and everything is traveling through spacetime at the speed of light (100). Thus, 100-99= 1.

So, from an aging perspective, it is quite nice that the Earth is spinning around its axis, spinning around the sun, around the Milky Way center, within the Virgo Supercluster, and finally as the supercluster moves through the universe. Basically, all this velocity that we don't feel due to constant velocity vs acceleration/deacceleration actually slows down time for us.

And I could be wrong on this, I am by no means a physicist, but I believe that since there is not as much gravity (relative to what we have on Earth) space travel would be easier to travel at faster speeds.

 

[LouderVol]

And I could be wrong on this, I am by no means a physicist, but I believe that since there is not as much gravity (relative to what we have on Earth) space travel would be easier to travel at faster speeds.

basically continuous acceleration. very little to slow you down/decrease your acceleration requiring less energy to keep you going.

 

[LouderVol]

I tried to find it but I read an article that talked about how we would get to these distant stars.

basically it said we would start with probes. but the trip would still be so long that our technology could/should/would pass it up and we find faster ways. so a later manned mission may still be the first to reach the destinations.

also depending on the time length of the trip we would probably have to consider a ton of stops along the way to check our path. even being off .000000000001% (just guessing on the zeroes) would be a huge miss on the distances.

article also pointed it out it may be more realistic to make habitable space stations than star travel.

 

[MercyPercy]

Gravity is what causes us to age and affects time. With a lack of a gravitational pull you would be near ageless. However, without gravity you would have medical issues with internal organs, etc.

I'm not sure this is an accurate description between the relationship of time and space.

 

[W.TN.Orange Blood]

It depends on how fast one is traveling.

Remember, everything in the universe, you, me, a table, my dog, etc. are ALL traving through spacetime at the speed of light. The differentiating factor is how that velocity is broken down into the various space dimensions (X, Y, Z) and time.

If you are traveling very fast through space, you are travelling slower through time. Conversely, if you are not traveling very fast through spce, you would be traveling very fast through time.

Here an example: Let's say the speed of light is 100. If a space shuttle travels at 99 toward this new Earth-like planet, those on the space shuttle are only travelling at 1 through time. Remember, everyone and everything is traveling through spacetime at the speed of light (100). Thus, 100-99= 1.

So, from an aging perspective, it is quite nice that the Earth is spinning around its axis, spinning around the sun, around the Milky Way center, within the Virgo Supercluster, and finally as the supercluster moves through the universe. Basically, all this velocity that we don't feel due to constant velocity vs acceleration/deacceleration actually slows down time for us.

I love this stuff....I find this so fascinating & mind boggling. Our little brains (especially mine) have a hard time with digesting this information from all of this forever space travel.

Since the 60s, with the explosion of "star trek" we have been trying to figure how to go & live a life in space & to other worlds for exploration.

 

[sammyhagar]

Now all I need is a means off this rock covered in trash beings.

 

[SergeantVol]

I'm not sure this is an accurate description between the relationship of time and space.

I'm a sponge when it comes to this stuff. Please do tell more. Or point me in the right direction (some place that can dumb it down for me). I only catch tidbits here and there from documentaries and things like that. I truly am fascinated.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

I'm a sponge when it comes to this stuff. Please do tell more. Or point me in the right direction (some place that can dumb it down for me). I only catch tidbits here and there from documentaries and things like that. I truly am fascinated.

He was talking about the post of the inverse relationship between space and time. I have watched several documentaries on youtube about this..i listen to them while driving to and from greenville 3 times a week. Search for "space documentary" on youtube and they have nearly every one ever produced for tv.

Black holes, dark matter, and dark energy make nearly everything we believe about space questionable. When matter/gravity gets super concentrated it warps spacetime. Which changes basically everything...and throws 90% of calculations out the window. Distance is irrelevant with a wormhole. All of the observable matter is thought to only be 10% of what exists...dark matter the other 90% or more. Dark energy may likely produce antigravity...which we think exists but cant prove. There is very little we actually know about the universe, with darkmatter and darkenergy discovered it really changes the way we look at the universe. Or multiverse. If there is one. Lolol

 

[alexmanu]

I love this topic and the discovery today is a really special one - three earth-sized planets in the habitable zone only 40 light years away. Amazing. When they are able to analyse the atmosphere of those exoplanets, and detect the levels of oxygen & methane present, then they could be able to say with some confidence that life likely exists on one or more of those exoplanets.

I hope that we have some real tangible proof that we are not alone in the Universe in the next decade.

 

[W.TN.Orange Blood]

I love this topic and the discovery today is a really special one - three earth-sized planets in the habitable zone only 40 light years away. Amazing. When they are able to analyse the atmosphere of those exoplanets, and detect the levels of oxygen & methane present, then they could be able to say with some confidence that life likely exists on one or more of those exoplanets.

I hope that we have some real tangible proof that we are not alone in the Universe in the next decade.

That last sentence is to be careful of what you wish for. Go to youtube and type in flying saucers....there's real-time video showing space aliens flying in UFOs & watching this planet. Spooky stuff to watch those.

 

[alexmanu]

That last sentence is to be careful of what you wish for. Go to youtube and type in flying saucers....there's real-time video showing aliens flying in UFOs & watching this planet. Spooky stuff to watch those.

I have had personal experiences of seeing UFOs (I live very close to Rendlesham Forest), but I don't have a strong enough evidence base to assert that those were manned by extra-terrestrials. I also have enough knowledge of psychology not to blindly trust my subjective experiences.

 

[W.TN.Orange Blood]

I have had personal experiences of seeing UFOs (I live very close to Rendlesham Forest), but I don't have a strong enough evidence base to assert that those were manned by extra-terrestrials. I also have enough knowledge of psychology not to blindly trust my subjective experiences.

Extra-terrestrials.....they don't come close to the State of Tennessee. This state is too boring & nothing going on for them to even check out.

 

[MercyPercy]

I'm a sponge when it comes to this stuff. Please do tell more. Or point me in the right direction (some place that can dumb it down for me). I only catch tidbits here and there from documentaries and things like that. I truly am fascinated.

You're still going to age in a zero gravity environment. Your post kind of read that you could almost live forever if you stayed in space. The concept behind what I think you're getting at is general relativity. You could go spend 50 years travelling at light speed around the galaxy and come back and hundreds (or whatever) years have passed by on earth, but you're still 50 years older yourself. You time travelled relative to earth, but you're still dying at your same personal pace.

 

[Grand Vol]

Now all I need is a means off this rock covered in trash beings.

While your comment is certainly your typical "I have nothing to add to the discussion, but felt like making my fingers move" response, it does bring up a question as to the colonization of the solar system. And that's something that's going to happen sooner rather than later in my opinion.

The real issue is what kind of government would these colonies have? Especially those that were semi or fully self sustained. Take Mars for example if they happen to be able to produce oxygen, water and food for themselves on the planet. As well as the rest of the resources they need in situ. In the beginning stages, they likely would identify with whatever nation sent them, but eventually the urge to control matters for themselves would become pretty strong. At what point does a nation or international consortium grant independence to said colonies and recognize them as de facto nations/worlds to govern themselves? Furthermore, would the colonists be allowed to declare what kind of government they want? And last, but certainly not least, how would these nations on Earth react if a Martian colony suddenly said "we're over you and will chart our own destiny."

Elon Musk, which I consider one of the smartest people alive, said a direct democracy would be the best course where the citizens vote on all issues coming up. Of course all the details would need to be worked out, but it's not a bad idea in principle.

Elon Musk thinks the best government for Mars is a direct democracy - The Verge

However, long before that came to fruition, it does beg the question of which laws and rules would apply and how the nations creating said colony would enforce the laws and what punishment would be. And really stretch the limits on how far the laws of the host nation really go into the cosmos. It's easy to speak about when the ISS is right in orbit and it's (relatively) easy to bring a person back to earth to answer for a crime if one was committed. But a five month or more trip to Mars?

Interesting thought process as well as the historical context of how nations developed and gained independence here on Earth like our own nation.

 

[MT LeConte]

It depends on how fast one is traveling.

Remember, everything in the universe, you, me, a table, my dog, etc. are ALL traving through spacetime at the speed of light. The differentiating factor is how that velocity is broken down into the various space dimensions (X, Y, Z) and time.

If you are traveling very fast through space, you are travelling slower through time. Conversely, if you are not traveling very fast through spce, you would be traveling very fast through time.

Here an example: Let's say the speed of light is 100. If a space shuttle travels at 99 toward this new Earth-like planet, those on the space shuttle are only travelling at 1 through time. Remember, everyone and everything is traveling through spacetime at the speed of light (100). Thus, 100-99= 1.

So, from an aging perspective, it is quite nice that the Earth is spinning around its axis, spinning around the sun, around the Milky Way center, within the Virgo Supercluster, and finally as the supercluster moves through the universe. Basically, all this velocity that we don't feel due to constant velocity vs acceleration/deacceleration actually slows down time for us.

The speed that we are traveling through space does slow down time for us. But only relative to to objects that are not traveling along with us. Everything that is traveling along with us i.e. the virgo cluster is pretty much in sync with us. Also at 99% the speed of light doesn't mean time is slowed down 99% for us relative to objects setting still. There is a table that shows the effects of relativistic speed on time.

Time Dilation at Low Speeds - Relativity when flying

 

[FLVOL_79]

You're still going to age in a zero gravity environment. Your post kind of read that you could almost live forever if you stayed in space. The concept behind what I think you're getting at is general relativity. You could go spend 50 years travelling at light speed around the galaxy and come back and hundreds (or whatever) years have passed by on earth, but you're still 50 years older yourself. You time travelled relative to earth, but you're still dying at your same personal pace.

Superman can turn back the aging process.