Very Powerful Telescope to see 10 light years away at high resolution....

In summary, the conversation discusses the potential of seeing objects on a planet 10 light years away through a powerful telescope. It is mentioned that this is not a question about relativity and physicists from the 1700s would have believed that it is possible to see cars and people on the planet as they were 10 years ago. However, this would require clearing out dust from space and using a large aperture for the telescope. It is considered as a thought experiment.
  • #1
RandyD123
66
7
Lets suppose I had a very powerful telescope and I could see 10 light years away. Would I see cars and people on that planet as they were 10 years ago? Would I actually see the people moving and the cars moving on the ground?
 
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  • #2
This isn't a relativity question. Physicists from 1700s (perhaps even earlier) would have told you yes, and yes*. This only depends on finite light speed.

*You might need to clear out dust from space and have an aperture much larger than the solar system, but whatever, that's fine for a thought experiment.

< Moderator Note -- thread is now moved from Relativity forum to General Physics >
 
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Related to Very Powerful Telescope to see 10 light years away at high resolution....

What is a "Very Powerful Telescope"?

A very powerful telescope is a type of telescope that has a high resolution and magnification, allowing it to capture detailed images of objects that are far away in space.

How far can a "Very Powerful Telescope" see?

A very powerful telescope can see objects up to 10 light years away. This means it can capture light that has traveled for 10 years at the speed of light, which is approximately 9.5 trillion kilometers.

What is the resolution of a "Very Powerful Telescope"?

The resolution of a very powerful telescope is typically measured in arcseconds. A telescope with a high resolution can distinguish objects that are very close together in the sky. For example, a telescope with a resolution of 0.1 arcseconds can distinguish two objects that are 0.1 arcseconds apart.

How does a "Very Powerful Telescope" achieve high resolution?

A very powerful telescope achieves high resolution through the use of advanced technology such as adaptive optics and large mirrors. Adaptive optics use small, flexible mirrors to correct for distortions caused by the Earth's atmosphere, while large mirrors allow for more light to be gathered and sharper images to be produced.

What can we learn from using a "Very Powerful Telescope" to see 10 light years away?

Using a very powerful telescope to see 10 light years away can provide scientists with valuable information about distant objects in space, such as the composition, structure, and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. It can also help us better understand the universe and our place within it.

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