Re: Our Interstellar Neigborhood

From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
Date: Fri May 30 2003 - 12:42:20 MDT

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    The pictures are at
    http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/05/29_space.shtml

    Seems to fit my own impressions I got when I was doing starmaps
    (http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/Starmaps/

    The chimney shape is rather obvious due to the thin galactic disc; the
    "wind" will by necessity be outwards.

    On Fri, May 30, 2003 at 10:49:02AM -0400, Spudboy100@aol.com wrote:
    > Thoughts on the following article"
    > 1) I wonder if, the description of our local portion of the galaxy means
    > that such technologies as mag sails, and the like; will become the
    > transportation of choice as sails react with ionized interstellar gas?

    Aren't magsails rather inefficient when used interstellarly?

    Personally I have always thought antimatter is the only way to go.

    > 2) Does having a "swiss-cheese" galaxy promote or hinder the
    > development of other intelligent species. or neither?

    I seriously doubt it has any big effect. The holes indicate past
    supernova or blue giant activity, which might be nasty if you are too
    close, but since we are happily sailing through a slightly old hole they
    are not dangerous in themselves.

    > 3) Would large regions of ionized interstellar gas, affect the propagation or
    > detection of radio signals? If so, this would explain Fermi's paradox?

    Only if all aliens are sending at frequencies likely to be impaired;
    this is why so many have listened at the clear frequencies.

    -- 
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Anders Sandberg                                      Towards Ascension!
    asa@nada.kth.se                            http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/
    GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y
    


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