Send Radio Signals to Other Stars: Accounting for Arrival

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter kindaroomy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Space
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations necessary for sending radio signals to other stars, particularly focusing on the need to account for the movement of stars over time. Participants explore the implications of using different types of antennas and the historical context of the Arecibo Message.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that when sending a radio signal to another star, one must account for the star's position at the time the message arrives.
  • Others argue that the type of antenna used affects this consideration; a parabolic dish may require more precision than a non-directional antenna.
  • A participant questions whether the parabolic dish would significantly improve targeting, suggesting that radio waves spread out enough that precise aiming may not be necessary for distant stars like Alpha Centauri.
  • It is noted that stars visible to the naked eye do not move significantly over short time frames, and even planets like Mars have minimal movement during the signal's travel time.
  • One participant references the Arecibo Message sent to Messier 13, raising the concern that the stars' positions would change significantly over the 26,000 years it takes for the message to arrive.
  • A quote from a Wikipedia article is provided, indicating that the stars aimed at by the Arecibo Message would no longer be in their original positions upon arrival.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of accounting for stellar movement when sending signals, with some emphasizing the importance of precision and others downplaying it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of star movement over long distances and time frames.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about the stability of star positions over time and the effectiveness of different antenna types in targeting distant stars. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical implications of these factors.

kindaroomy
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
If I wanted to send a radio signal to another star, shouldn’t I have to account for where the star will be when the message arrives?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
kindaroomy said:
If I wanted to send a radio signal to another star, shouldn’t I have to account for where the star will be when the message arrives?
If you send it with a parabolic dish, yes, but if you send it in a way that is not as directional (just an antenna, for example) no.
 
just a quck folow up question russ, wouldn't the parabolic dish still not make much of a difference? i mean, the radio waves should still spead out enough thoughout space right? unless one was trying to reach Mars. but Alpha-Centari should just be "There it is. Point and shoot!" right"
 
Yes, the stars we can see with the naked eye don't move much and it is difficult to get a very tight beam of radio waves. Heck, Mars doesn't even move much in the few minutes it takes for a signal to reach it.
 
I was reading up on the first organized message sent into space, the Arecibo Message. It was sent to Messier 13 some 26,000 ly away. I am guessing under this scenario you'd have to account for movement, as the stars can orbit around the galaxy quite a bit in 26,000 years. Or would this message still be broad enough to cover it?
 

Similar threads

High School Feasibility of Sending a Radio Signal Detectable from a Neighboring Star
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Undergrad Unknown Radio Signal from Space Repeats Every Hour -- Usually
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Communication Options With Future Deep Space Probes?
  • · Replies 66 ·
3
Replies
66
Views
6K
Undergrad Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
3K
Undergrad Could fast radio bursts be alien radar signals?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Undergrad Why Does Gravity Remain when Star Mass Dissipates?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Vulpecula, pulsars and neutron stars
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Undergrad Why on Earth do we not see older stars close to us?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad The Heavier Elements: A Question About Their Abundance
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K