2007-01-17 00:49:46 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The nearest full-fledged spiral galaxy (one that is similar to our own Milky Way), is 2.4 million light-years away.
Even if we were able to travel at a speed of 1% of the speed of light (we are not even close, yet), it would take half a billion years for a return trip.
Plus, intergalactic space is very thin (no rest areas).
Radiation may be a problem early in the voyage. Trips to the Moon were possible because the astronauts did not stay in unprotected space too long (a few weeks at most). However, the energy put out by some of the most violent solar flares can hurt us even beyond the orbit of Mars.
On the other hand, the engines that we'd need for such a trip would probably put out more radiation and the shielding we'd need to protect the travellers would probably be more than enough for the solar (and stellar) radiation.
Then, where would we go? What would we do once we get there? I guess we need to practise around our neighbourhood a bit, first.
2007-01-17 01:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by Raymond 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The space between galaxies is huge! The nearest galaxies to our galaxies are somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 light years away. If we were traveling at the speed of light, it would take us 100,000 to 200,000 years to get there. We cannot go the speed of light, so we cannot even go to these other galaxies. Humans have never been outside of the solar system.
2007-01-17 11:37:39 · answer #2 · answered by bldudas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nearest galaxy to our own (that isn't a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way) is the Andromeda Galaxy -- about 2.2 million light years away. In other words, it would take you 2.2 million years to get there at the speed of light...and several hundred billion years to get there at 10,000 kilometers per hour. Ready for the trip? :)
2007-01-17 10:09:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the technology doesn't exist yet to keep a human alive for the length of time it would take to traverse to another galaxy, nor does the technology exist to shorten the travel time.
2007-01-17 08:58:35 · answer #4 · answered by TexasChick 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even mainstream sci-fi keeps us in our own galaxy. It's hard enough to look and time, technology, economy, and speeds needed for travel in our own galaxy. Going even farther is literally unthinkable without something like wormhole shortcuts.
2007-01-17 11:03:55 · answer #5 · answered by Lew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We will never be able to travel to the stars if our grammar does not improve. You see proper grammar shows intelligence and therefore an ability to perform complex math and science needed for such a journey.
2007-01-17 08:58:26 · answer #6 · answered by draftboyg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At our current speeds, it would take literally about 27 billion years to get to another galaxy.
I wonder if you mean another solar system? That would only take 240,000 years!!! Yay!!
2007-01-17 09:13:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Earthiest Magnetosphere, the magnetic field around the Earth, stops man from going further out in to space. Man did not go to the Moon back in the 50es, the amount of Lead needed to shield a human from radiation coming from the Sun wood be to heavy to put in space. Right now Sky Lab is below the Earthiest Magnetosphere...
2007-01-17 09:09:11 · answer #8 · answered by Infinite and Eternal Reality 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
It would take millions of years.
2007-01-17 08:58:01 · answer #9 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earthlings can't; but that doesn't mean that other inteligent species from other planets can't;)
2007-01-17 08:59:20 · answer #10 · answered by Love_my_Cornish_Knight❤️ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋