Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

The distance to our nearest neighbor star beyond the Sun is Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is approximately 4.4 light years. This means that the light

The distance to our nearest neighbor star beyond the Sun is Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is approximately 4.4 light years. This means that the light emanating from it reaches us here on Earth in 4.4 years. Curiously, when we look at this star, or any star, we're actually seeing information from the past. Another way to consider the distance between Earth and Alpha Centauri is in terms our own distance to the sun. Alpha Centauri is about 277,000 times further away than our sun is - approximately 25.7 Trillion miles! It would take Voyager 1 about 77,000 years to reach our nearest neighbor star, and it's not even heading in that direction! Clearly if humans are going to expand their horizon, a different approach will have to be devised. Consider project Breakthrough Starshot, an idea that would ferry very tiny probes with a mass of only a gram across space via a system known as a Light Sail.

In your opinion is this project worth pursuing - why or why not?? If so ,is it also worth subsidizing research and development with public funds?

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers

Authors: John C. Morrison

1st edition

123751126, 123751128, 978-0123751126

More Books

Students also viewed these Physics questions

Question

How flying airoplane?

Answered: 1 week ago