Q&A 7: Joining the Galactic Federation and More... | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

There is minimal risk of a nearby star going supernova and causing damage to Earth, but it could lead to ozone layer depletion. The search for alien life raises important scientific questions about our existence.

Key Insights

• 🤩 The risk of a nearby star going supernova and causing damage to Earth is minimal.
• 🤩 The only potential threat would be from a massive star turning into a gamma burst, but there are no such stars directed at Earth.
• 👽 The search for alien life is driven by the desire to answer one of the most important scientific questions: Are we alone in the universe?
• ❓ The possibility of a galactic association or a galactic federation restricting contact with primitive species like humans is not convincing.
• ❓ The Voyager spacecraft are not on a trajectory that would bring them near Planet 9.
• 🫥 Building telescopes on the Moon, especially on the far side, would provide a great opportunity for radio and visible astronomy.
• 🏛️ A billion dollars would not be sufficient for significant astronomical pursuits, but building a telescope capable of observing the atmospheres of exoplanets would be a priority if given a larger budget.
• 🛰️ Space warfare involves protecting and destroying satellites used for intelligence gathering and communication, and various countries are actively involved in this area.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What would happen if the nearest stars to us went supernova but not the sun?

A star has to be within a few dozen light years to cause damage to Earth. As of now, there are no stars within that range that are likely to go supernova, so we are safe. However, if a supernova did occur close to Earth, it would lead to ozone layer depletion and severe sunburns.

Q: Can Voyager 1 or 2 find or pass by Planet 9?

The Voyager spacecraft are not on a trajectory that would bring them anywhere near Planet 9. The chances of them being in the vicinity of Planet 9 are extremely small. To get a closer view of the planet, we would need to locate it and send a spacecraft specifically to intercept it.

Q: What are the odds of building a telescope that can see the universe before the Big Bang?

It is not possible to see the universe before the Big Bang. The cosmic microwave background radiation is the farthest edge of what we can observe, as it represents the earliest possible light that could escape after the Big Bang.

Q: Why is the channel so obsessed with alien life?

The interest in alien life stems from the fundamental question of whether we are alone in the universe. If we are, then life would have existed and been destroyed forever, which is tragic. Exploring the possibility of alien life helps unravel the mysteries of our existence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The nearest stars to us are unlikely to go supernova and cause harm to Earth, as they would have to be within a few dozen light years.

• The only potential risk would be from a massive star turning into a gamma burst, but there are no super massive stars with their poles directed at us.

• If a supernova did occur close to Earth, it would scour off the ozone layer, resulting in severe sunburns for humans.