Juno is speeding around Jupiter at something like 160,000 mph. At that speed how many generations would it take to get to Alpha Centauri? Trying to come to a simple answer to give to folks thinking aliens visit us regularly.
I think hundreds or thousands of generations would live and die before we ever got to visit our nearest neighbors. Another thought I had is that if you did take that journey the scenery outside your window would never change because you are traveling so slowly. No stars whizzing by like in sci-fi movies.
Not an appealing idea to me at all.
1
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
2 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.18,412 years according to wolfram Alpha.
[wolframalpha.com]
chilehead9
Level 7
Oct 2, 2018
2
Thanks!
Please check my math on this, but if Alpha Centauri is 4.243 light years away, that translates to 25.67 trillion (or 25 trillion, 670 billion) miles (25,670,000,000,000). At 160,000 miles per hour, I calculate a total travel time at that speed as about 160,437,500 hours. If you divide this by the number of hours in a year (8,760) you arrive at 18,305 years, give or take. If we assume 25 years per generation, the trip at 160,000 miles per hour will take a mere 733 generations.
p-nullifidian
Level 8
Oct 2, 2018
5
Exactly what I wanted. Thank you thank you thank you.
Fascinating
Recent Visitors 20
Photos 424 More
Posted by starwatcher-alThe occultation of Mars on the 7th.
Posted by starwatcher-alThe occultation of Mars on the 7th.
Posted by starwatcher-alSolar minimum was in 2019 so the sun is ramping up in flares, spots and prominences.
Posted by starwatcher-alI missed the early phases of the eclipse but the clouds mostly left during totality. All in all a great eclipse. Next one is Nov. 8-22
Posted by starwatcher-alI missed the early phases of the eclipse but the clouds mostly left during totality. All in all a great eclipse. Next one is Nov. 8-22
Posted by RobecologyFor those following the JWST.
Posted by AnonySchmoose The post-launch set-up of the new James Webb telescope has gone very well.
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken October 2nd 2021 with Stellina 1.
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken October 2nd 2021 with Stellina 1.
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken October 2nd 2021 with Stellina 1.
Posted by starwatcher-al Did you know that you can see Venus in the daytime?
Posted by starwatcher-alOne of these days I think that I'll figure out this Nikon.