Light From Flashlight: Does It Reach Space?

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In summary, the conversation discussed the possibility of light from an ordinary flashlight reaching space and being detected as a specific signal. It was concluded that while the light can go into space, it is unlikely to be detected as a specific signal due to the interference and noise from other signals and the receiver's limitations. However, it was suggested that using a pre-arranged flashing technique may improve the chances of detecting the light.
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botev1912
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Does the light ,if I turn on the ordinary flashlight source somewhere here on Earth,go into the space.
And Does if it become completely mixed with all other electromagnetic radiation there would be some fraction of all that radiation that is still "my light" and would be (even with odds 1/∞) there some miserable chance to be detected as a "some specific signature" ? :)
 
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Yes, the light can go into space. But it won't be detected as a specific signal, as it's just plain old white light.
 
  • #3
Any instrument that receives your particular light beam will have to cope with all the other signals from that general direction (there is a limit to the resolution of any such interment) plus the naturally occurring 'noise' in the receiver. Detecting your signal will depend upon the signal to (noise plus interference) ratio at the receiver - as in all forms of communication.
You could improve on the reception by flashing the lamp at a pre-arranged rate and then looking for that oscillation frequency at the receiver. This is a well known experimentaltechnique (synchronous detection) which improves detection of low level signals.
 

1. How far does the light from a flashlight reach?

The distance that light from a flashlight can reach depends on various factors such as the strength of the flashlight, atmospheric conditions, and the curvature of the Earth. Generally, light from a flashlight can reach a few hundred meters to a few kilometers.

2. Can light from a flashlight reach space?

No, light from a flashlight cannot reach space. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs and scatters light, making it difficult for light to travel through. Additionally, the distance from the Earth's surface to space is too great for light from a flashlight to reach.

3. Does the color of the light affect how far it can reach?

Yes, the color of light can affect how far it can reach. Blue light has a shorter wavelength and is scattered more easily, making it harder for it to travel long distances. In contrast, red light has a longer wavelength and can travel farther before being scattered.

4. Can you see a flashlight from space?

No, it is not possible to see a flashlight from space. The intensity of light from a flashlight is not strong enough to be visible from such a great distance, even if there were no atmospheric interference.

5. How does the distance from the flashlight to the observer affect the visibility of the light?

The closer the observer is to the flashlight, the brighter and more visible the light will be. As the distance increases, the light will become dimmer and eventually not visible to the observer. This is due to the inverse square law, where the intensity of light decreases as the distance from the source increases.

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