Rings Around Stars, Laser Space Propulsion, Life on Cold Moons | Q&A 206
How do we determine the velocities of objects in distant space? Can we use a laser a space engine on a spaceship? Can we find stars with rings? Is it possible to see the same star at different stages of its life? All this and more in this week's Q&A.
Watch the video here (with no ads) or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DM4pfPHS_R0
Here's a link to the original, unedited livestream: https://youtu.be/76d4dmvzjqg
Rings Around Stars, Laser Space Propulsion, Life on Cold Moons | Q&A 206 (Vimeo)
Comments (3)
Thanks Fraser! Enjoyed it.
Don Stalter just now Hi Fraser, Your proposal to use lasers as a form of propulsion in space took me back to my younger days when I was into science fiction. I have just turned 90 years old but my imagination is just as young as it was back then. I started writing a si-fi story which invented what was called LAMP engine (Light Amplitude Modular Propulsion engine. (buzz words) The theory being that since space (not considering dark matter) is completely full of light from every star, galaxy, nova, etc, the engine would be similar to a ram-jet, using light for propulsion. This would then allow the ship to eventually reach the speed of light. Now with your laser engine in operation we can now get the ship up to the speed necessary for the LAMP engine to take over. Star Trek, here we come.
Hi, Fraser Watching your comments on Io reminded me of a conversation with my advisor in grad school (1964-69, not sure which year). Someone had discovered that Io modulates the radio emission from Jupiter. His mind was boggled, as was mine. How could a mere moon affect radio emission from a planet?? Of course, now we know how huge Jupiter's magnetic field is and also of the torus of emitted sulfur (etc.) from Io, and it all makes sense. But then ... Ditto the enormous energy output of quasars, and more. Pretty amazing discoveries in the ensuing years!