If that signal is going out to space, as it is to Joel’s colander; I would think it will lose strength, particles it bumps into and electromagnetic interference it is bound to run into, but then they were getting a signal from that probe when it passed Pluto [not a real planet] on its way-out and kicked up to interstellar overdrive, as it leaves our system for parts unknown and can make it if it doesn’t crash into something. With such a low powered signal I wonder if they are even getting anything from it.
Theoretically, if a radio show was broadcast in July of 1936, it wouldn’t be the Jack Benny Program – he was in summer hiatus since ending his season on the NBC Blue Network on June 21st.
Jack and the gang returned for a new season on the NBC Red Network on October 4th, 1936 with a program that introduced Phil Harris as the new leader of a band of drunks!
I sincerely hope that Jim isn’t about to have the strip explain that a non-powered colander is acting as a receiver for an old radio broadcast, and that this continually repeated plea for help over the course of unknown days and nights constitutes someone’s past idea of “entertainment”? Tabloids may have carried stories about old TV or radio broadcasts being amazingly picked up somewhere years later but of course these have been debunked. As Gweedo pointed out, the signal would be far too degraded to be useful to anyone (especially at the power levels used by radio/TV broadcasts — I can’t even get my rabbit ears to pick up ABC merely 20 miles from the broadcast antenna!). No! Just… no.
I hate to be a killjoy, Mr. Scientist, but radio waves travel at the speed of light – 186,000 miles per second. The current speed of space travel is 17000-18000 miles an hour – about 5 miles per second. Which is a bit slower.
Well, now if that signal starts sending back Milton Brown And His Brownies, the Ink Spots, Leadbelly, Chick Webb, the Mills Brothers, the Boswell Sisters and a few others of similar intent who were making their mark around that time, I’d definitely be listening!
AnyFace over 3 years ago
JD'Huntsville'AL over 3 years ago
I’m beginning to think that Jim has dragged this out so long even he doesn’t remember what is going on with the colander.
Gweedo -it's legal here- Murray over 3 years ago
If that signal is going out to space, as it is to Joel’s colander; I would think it will lose strength, particles it bumps into and electromagnetic interference it is bound to run into, but then they were getting a signal from that probe when it passed Pluto [not a real planet] on its way-out and kicked up to interstellar overdrive, as it leaves our system for parts unknown and can make it if it doesn’t crash into something. With such a low powered signal I wonder if they are even getting anything from it.
Johnny Q Premium Member over 3 years ago
Wouldn’t the rocket ship have to move faster than the speed of light?
Dirty Dragon over 3 years ago
Theoretically, if a radio show was broadcast in July of 1936, it wouldn’t be the Jack Benny Program – he was in summer hiatus since ending his season on the NBC Blue Network on June 21st.
Jack and the gang returned for a new season on the NBC Red Network on October 4th, 1936 with a program that introduced Phil Harris as the new leader of a band of drunks!
Raaawb over 3 years ago
I sincerely hope that Jim isn’t about to have the strip explain that a non-powered colander is acting as a receiver for an old radio broadcast, and that this continually repeated plea for help over the course of unknown days and nights constitutes someone’s past idea of “entertainment”? Tabloids may have carried stories about old TV or radio broadcasts being amazingly picked up somewhere years later but of course these have been debunked. As Gweedo pointed out, the signal would be far too degraded to be useful to anyone (especially at the power levels used by radio/TV broadcasts — I can’t even get my rabbit ears to pick up ABC merely 20 miles from the broadcast antenna!). No! Just… no.
https://www.quora.com/Could-aliens-potentially-pick-up-our-radio-signals-or-TV-signals
Ignatz Premium Member over 3 years ago
I hate to be a killjoy, Mr. Scientist, but radio waves travel at the speed of light – 186,000 miles per second. The current speed of space travel is 17000-18000 miles an hour – about 5 miles per second. Which is a bit slower.
No wonder this colander thing has you all amazed.
BJShipley1 over 3 years ago
Just give it up, scientist guy: it’s like trying to explain automotive engineering to your dog.
MDRiggs Premium Member over 3 years ago
Another episode of “Bad Physics Theater.” Theoretically, you could never catch up to the signal.
BlitzMcD over 3 years ago
Well, now if that signal starts sending back Milton Brown And His Brownies, the Ink Spots, Leadbelly, Chick Webb, the Mills Brothers, the Boswell Sisters and a few others of similar intent who were making their mark around that time, I’d definitely be listening!