The discussion revolves around the theoretical possibility of using mirrors to create a "window" to see into the past, specifically exploring the implications of light travel time and reflection. Participants examine the concept from both a theoretical and observational perspective, considering different setups and definitions of seeing into the past.
Participants express differing views on the feasibility and methodology of using mirrors to see into the past. While some agree on the concept of light travel time, there is no consensus on the practicality of the proposed setups or the definitions used in the discussion.
Limitations include the assumptions about perfect environments for mirror setups, the dependence on definitions of simultaneity, and the unresolved nature of the proposed methods for observing the past.
Why do you need two mirrors? You could put just one mirror at a distance of 30 light-seconds away and then watch yourself as you were one minute earlier. You'd need one powerful telescope to resolve anything though. But you could easily prove that it worked by comparing the image of your clock in the mirror to what it says when you look at it directly.baker27marine said:Let's say theoretically we can setup a perfect environment with two mirrors at a great distance apart. The distance is great enough to allow light to reflect off one mirror and not reach the other mirror until a full minute has elapsed. Could this in "theory" create a window to see one minute into the past?
Yes, using the definition of simultaneity that the stars we see in the sky are as they were thousands of years ago, we can look up in the sky and see them as they were thousands of years ago. There is no independent proof like there is in my previous post.Vorde said:Sure, but using this definition it's much easier to see into the past. Just look up at the stars and you're seeing them as they were thousands upon thousands of years ago.