If tv signals travel into space forever, then could you use an existing satellite or probe to pick up that signal and send it back to you?
2007-01-11 07:35:07 · 7 answers · asked by david g 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well, no.
See all electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light, including tv and radio signals.
Those that left the atmosphere back in the 50s have now traveled 50 light years away from the Earth.
The only way to pick them back up would be if you had sent a satellite in the same vector at the speed of light at the same time as you had broadcasted the signal, but then you'd have to wait ANOTHER 50 years for the return trip of the signal.
Seems a bit much for I Love Lucy re-runs... ;)
2007-01-11 07:41:10 · answer #1 · answered by kaleban21 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The signals from transmissions in the 50's would be roughly 50 light years away from earth, so you'd have to have a way of getting the satellite or probe out past the transmissions, in order for them to pick up the signal. Of course, this would require faster than light travel, which isn't possible at this time, and likely an impossibility. Furthermore, even if you could manage to get a satellite out there to pick up the signal, you'd have to wait another 50 years for the signal to make it back to you. It would be simpler to just find the 50's programs that you're interested in on DVD, and watch it that way.
2007-01-11 15:44:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To pick up signals from 50 years ago the satellite would have to be 50 light years away. Our most distance satellites, the Voyagers, are only abut 1/600 of a light year away, which is about 93,000,000,000 miles away. And to get there they had to travel at over 30,000 MPH for over 30 years.
2007-01-11 16:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, at least not yet.
Tv shows are now about 50 light years away, If you can get a satellite out there faster than light speed and then receive them, it still would take another 50 years for the shows to be picked up here on Earth.
2007-01-11 15:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by chefantwon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, the signals are 50 light years away, no satellite could receive them.
2007-01-12 00:57:14 · answer #5 · answered by ZeedoT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be easier just to download the shows from the internet.
2007-01-11 15:48:23 · answer #6 · answered by marcus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it's quite an expensive way to do it unless you want the live unrecorded broadcasts.
2007-01-11 15:42:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋