Might need the cerebral horsepower of an Astro Physicist to answer this question I have been wondering about;
We know that light travels at 186 K miles per sec. and that radio signals do likewise, hence 8 min. travel time for sunlight to reach earth, and indeed several hours to communicate with space probes such as Surv. I & II. Here is my question; Based on statements I have heard that 1950's TV shows are now nearing star systems 50 light years away, "How far and how long will these signals continue to travel"? Is the answer based on how much energy was used to generate the signal? For instance, in the case of the light energy leaving a 6 volt flashlight source aimed at the moon, what happens to the Photons coming out of the lens? does it run out of steam? or could with the right equipment sensitive enough pick up the energy that was being emitted? The light energy that is being produced from lets say M-104 appears as a pinpoint of light as it strikes the back of my Retina, this massive system in Virgo ( a Spiral Galaxy ) took some 60 million years to traverse this distance. How many more years will it continue and how far will it eventually travel?
My understanding of this type of phenomenon is pretty base, I would like to learn more.. I am pecking away at Stephen Hawking's " The Universe in a Nutshell " Wish me luck.. eating is no problem, it's the digesting that is difficult. So if any of my fellow Star Buffs have any inside info on Light and how it works in relation to the questions I have just posed, I would be delighted to peruse through it.. Clear Cold Nights... John IV. OR.
We know that light travels at 186 K miles per sec. and that radio signals do likewise, hence 8 min. travel time for sunlight to reach earth, and indeed several hours to communicate with space probes such as Surv. I & II. Here is my question; Based on statements I have heard that 1950's TV shows are now nearing star systems 50 light years away, "How far and how long will these signals continue to travel"? Is the answer based on how much energy was used to generate the signal? For instance, in the case of the light energy leaving a 6 volt flashlight source aimed at the moon, what happens to the Photons coming out of the lens? does it run out of steam? or could with the right equipment sensitive enough pick up the energy that was being emitted? The light energy that is being produced from lets say M-104 appears as a pinpoint of light as it strikes the back of my Retina, this massive system in Virgo ( a Spiral Galaxy ) took some 60 million years to traverse this distance. How many more years will it continue and how far will it eventually travel?
My understanding of this type of phenomenon is pretty base, I would like to learn more.. I am pecking away at Stephen Hawking's " The Universe in a Nutshell " Wish me luck.. eating is no problem, it's the digesting that is difficult. So if any of my fellow Star Buffs have any inside info on Light and how it works in relation to the questions I have just posed, I would be delighted to peruse through it.. Clear Cold Nights... John IV. OR.
