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If I understand correctly, it's not the light reflected off the exoplanet that we detect, it's the slight dimming of the stars light as the exoplanet transition
by O5vYtytb 5y ago
If I understand correctly, it's not the light reflected off the exoplanet that we detect, it's the slight dimming of the stars light as the exoplanet transitions between the star and our telescope.
I'm not sure what this has to do with a communications link though. It's not like we need as much energy as a star, we can use a directional link like a laser. Sure it'd still need to be massive but while I don't have the math in front of me, it seems like something we could build.
- throw1234651234 5y agoYou are talking about detecting planets as they revolve around the star. As you said, if the planet rotates on an axis that "blocks" a tiny, tiny fraction of the star as we observe it, we see the dimming (that goes away as the planet passes) and can assume a planet and some parameters. You are also right that the conversation is about COMMUNICATION: 1. You either dim the star with a Dyson swarm, or 2. You pulse more power than the star outputs as background noise briefly Neither is all that viable.
- O5vYtytb 5y agoWhy can't you use a laser with a relatively high power? Should be easier to differentiate that from background and star light? Or something more exotic like sweeping wavelengths.