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Almost 20 years ago I did some calculations for a theoretical spacecraft traveling away from Earth with an Arecibo-sized receiver pointed toward home[1]. I foun
by DamnInteresting 2mo ago
Almost 20 years ago I did some calculations for a theoretical spacecraft traveling away from Earth with an Arecibo-sized receiver pointed toward home[1]. I found that omnidirectional radio emissions--by far the most common kind we emit--AM/FM radio, UHF television, etc--would be lost in static between Jupiter and Saturn.
In short, the universe could be teeming with intelligent, radio-communicating species, but we will never know it unless we a) build an enormous radio telescope larger than the Earth; b) get lucky enough to pass through a direct hit from a narrow radio signal such as radar; or c) a civilization detects us and points a tight message in our direction.
[1] https://www.damninteresting.com/space-radio-more-static-less-talk/ https://www.damninteresting.com/space-radio-more-static-less...
- pavel_lishin 2mo agoI love your site. I've been an RSS subscriber for a long time, and tossed some money at the recent fundraiser. (I mention that last bit not to be thanked, but to give others an opportunity to do the same without it looking like you're soliciting: https://www.damninteresting.com/a-possible-future/ https://www.damninteresting.com/a-possible-future/)
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