Alien spaceships and the speed of light

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

The thing is: People used to say the same thing about circumnavigating the globe, or human flight, or breaking the sound barrier, or the SyFy Channel actually producing a decent TV show. Never say never.

In all seriousness though, if creatures from other starts have figured out ways to travel from star to star --- and that remains 100% unproven --- I can't help but think they have found a way to do it that involves something more than simply going from Point A to Point B really fast. Our own physicists are already postulating ways it could be done. Who knows what a civilization that is 50,000 years beyond our own technological advancement might have achieved?

We are invisible to the universe outside the sliver of our galaxy that our radio waves have reached. Our supposed visitors at Point A, even if they possess FTL travel, would have to have been within that tiny sliver to have even noticed us (Point B).

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by 1insider

We are invisible to the universe outside the sliver of our galaxy that our radio waves have reached.

That is assuming the light and radio waves are the only means other civilizations might have of detecting the known universe.

Originally Posted by 1insider

Our supposed visitors at Point A, even if they possess FTL travel, would have to have been within that tiny sliver to have even noticed us (Point B).

And given the number of "Goldilocks" planets were are finding every year, it isn't beyond all plausibility that there are other civilizations within that range.

[TheArchitect]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Well when you figure it out lets us know. We have yet to step foot on Mars and that is like stepping out your back door and taking 3 steps since as it's closest to us it is only 34.55 million miles. The nearest star is under 5 light years and it would take us millions of years to reach with the speed we have now.

With the speed we have now.... or in 100 years, or in 1000 years, or in 1 million years?
I'd be wary of making definitive claims about what we'll "never" be able to do. Never is a long time.

For this reason, the UFO hypothesis cant be dismissed out of hand. I'm not personally yet convinced, just not enough solid evidence for me, but I dont think its an unreasonable hypothesis, given the observations.

[ocpaul20]

Originally Posted by TheArchitect

With the speed we have now.... or in 100 years, or in 1000 years, or in 1 million years?
I'd be wary of making definitive claims about what we'll "never" be able to do. Never is a long time.

For this reason, the UFO hypothesis cant be dismissed out of hand. I'm not personally yet convinced, just not enough solid evidence for me, but I dont think its an unreasonable hypothesis, given the observations.

I dont think there will ever be enough evidence until 'they' are here and walking about among us - or wherever they will be doing. (ruling, eating, helping us?)

Science begins with observations and we have plenty of those. Now we need to investigate and come up with a few hypotheses to explain the observables. I place the responsibility firmly on the scientists who dont want to speculate( create hypotheses) about what could be causing these events. They think it is "not scientific" to speculate, they have to call it something different.

What is science for - if it is not to investigate unknown things?