Is the sun a node in a gigantic alien space internet? Scientists scanned the skies to check.

[admin]

Through a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, aliens could be transmitting signals using the sun, but a quick scan for such signals has turned up nothing.

Is the sun a node in a gigantic alien space internet? Scientists scanned the skies to check. : Read more

 

[Paul1459]

Aren’t radio waves slower than light? If so, why would an advanced alien use radio waves?

 

[gideonkain]

"Radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum just like the light waves that we see. Light waves, radio waves, and all of the other electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light—about 300,000,000 meters per second!"

source: https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/583093main_Earth_Calling.pdf

 

[bolide2]

So, a standard task to be added to future explorations of massive objects: Calculate the object's gravitational lensing focal point, go to that point and look for signals coming in or going out.

I wonder how small an object could be and still have a meaningful or useful lensing effect. Does a less massive object have a weaker lensing (light-bending) effect, implying a focal point that is farther away?

 

[Paul1459]

"Radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum just like the light waves that we see. Light waves, radio waves, and all of the other electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light—about 300,000,000 meters per second!"

source: https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/583093main_Earth_Calling.pdf

OK.... but why then does the referred to doc read this way:

"Learning Goals: Students will be able to...
measure the amount of time it takes for a radio signal to travel to a spacecraft using the speed of light.

demonstrate the delay in radio communication signals to and from a spacecraft.

devise unique solutions to the radio-signal-delay problem."

OK.... speeds are the same so why does the doc refer to a problem?