The Universe became a much smaller place for us since we discovered how to build telescopes. These mega machines can reach to the edges of the observable universe and we have developed the ability to understand how to read the signals that come from deep space. That said, everything we measure reach us at the speed of light, the fastest way to get here. So to reach the stars in a manmade vehicle we would need to fly at the sped of light. Is this possible?
The Speed of Light
The speed of light is 300 000km per second. Light does not weigh anything and yet it has energy and momentum. It is a particle and a wave at the same time. That is why light travels to the moon and back in hardly more time than you can say the words, to the moon and back. Incredible and yet if we could travel at that speed and we would like to visit the nearest galaxy we would have to travel for around 170 000 years. Now this is quick but is it possible? Travelling to the nearest star and back would take around 16 years.
Dangers
To travel at 300 000 km per second would mean that you will have no system to warn you of any asteroid or meteorite and you would definite encounter millions of them once you passed the orbit of Jupiter, then outside Pluto and again you will also encounter millions of them on the edge of the solar system. Each single one with the ability to end your journey before you even left home.
Technology
Even if we had the technology, the crew would have to be willing to leave behind their family and friends and certain knowledge that they will only be the first of a future generation that will all die in space before the spacecraft would enter another galaxy. We can talk about this dream but to bring it to reality we will have to overcome the fact that to reach the speed of light would require infinite energy to drive its infinite mass. The spacecraft will increase in mass as it accelerates.
We do not even have to go into a deep discussion to realize we will need another form of travel to overcome the speed of light in order to shorten any journey to any star. While we may be spiritual in thinking, we still cannot even take people into space and that is travelling at no more than 28 000 km per hour. The human race has proved itself to be very inventive but the barrier of space travel is not only limited by our imagination, it is limited by the vast distance.
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