I know that when we look at the stars, we're looking into the past. Since the light that was reflected off the Earth a million years ago had to go somewhere and bounce off something, could we possibly catch that reflection on film?
Since light is made of particles and we see objects because those particles hit objects, is it possible to study that object microscopically and see the impression of the light particles that hit it? If this is possible, might we be able to glimpse into our past?
2007-05-22 04:54:55 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
To do this, you'd have to have a lens or something that bounced the light back at us. It is possible (if there is enough mass in the universe) that all light will circle around on itself eventually. But we don't think there is enough mass around. So it is probably not possible at all. And certainly not feasible anytime in the near future.
2007-05-22 05:14:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even if you were a million light years from the Earth - I doubt if you'd be able to focus in on it so precise to see the individual people, events or minor geography of the planet. I think, you may see the major land masses and oceans at the very best. Unfortunately, I just can't see where they would see much more than we see at the same distance.
Don't forget, just because life may exist elsewhere don't mean it has to be more advanced than we are- even if they are more advanced don't mean they even have an interest in the heavens .... so this type of technology may not have been developed on some advanced planets....(more advanced could mean more advanced in very specific areas of study and not all areas)
2007-05-22 05:13:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you're pon the earth. To see it 1 million years in the past, you'd have to be 1 million light years away and have an incredible telescope.
2007-05-22 05:01:46 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, we canvery easily glimpse into our past by using a photographic camera.Isn't it?
2007-05-22 05:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by Bond 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WE couldn't...
BUT
An astronomer in a different solar system could, provided she/he/it had a powerful enough telescope!
.
2007-05-22 05:01:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wud love to see that!! Great thinking
2007-05-22 06:00:14 · answer #6 · answered by layna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theoretically it seems possible, but I don't think we have the technology to do so.
2007-05-22 05:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by yarstarfarian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋