I once had this conversation with my colleagues about this simple solution and this topic is once again brought up on a blog I frequent. (This is also indirectly inspired by one of the greatest sci-fi movies I had ever had the pleasure to watch recently: The Man From Earth)
I have the answer to get those answers!
The Mirror. Specifically, One big giant mirror in space reflecting back at Earth.
Hear me out:
Working on the same principle that when we look at stars up in the sky, what we actually see is the past of those stars. Given that the light from that star travels many light years to reach our eyes. So...
1) We make a giant mirror
2) Send it out to space.
- Place it 1,000,000 light years from earth if we want to see Earth 2,000,000 years ago
- Place it 1,005 light years from earth if we want to witness the birth of Christ
3) Aim that mirror back at Earth
4) Setup telescopes on earth to the mirror
5) Sit back and "reflect" on our past!
See? Easy-peasy.
Forgot what you had for breakfast a year ago? No problem!
* And for those of you that are picky about details regarding my picture above... the answer is "no", there isn't a reflection of a telescope in the mirror. Remember, the past will not have anyone looking back! Duh.
seriously? waaayyy too much time on your hands. but nice idea!
ReplyDeleteReally?!? That thought took 5 minutes to come up with. o_0
ReplyDelete88MPH in a Delorean will give you all the answers you seek. That or a hot tub time machine.
ReplyDeleteI've thought of the same mirror, too!
ReplyDelete