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by Joseph Milanese on October 8th, 2004

Joseph Milanese

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If a star is light years away so it takes years for its light to reach us, can scientists tell if the star is actually still there and that it hasn't gone supernova or died out?

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  • by tjtx41 on January 27th, 2006

    tjtx41

    I think what the person who asked the original question meant was; is there any way (other than visual observation) to know whether a star still exists if it lies many light years away from earth? The simple answer to that question is no. Electromagnetic radiation travels at approximately 186,000 miles per second in a vacuum. Looking with your eyes or listening with a radio telescope are the only two ways we have to detect stars. In both cases the travel time of the information is the same. According to Einstein, nothing can travel faster than light. If he is right, there never will be any faster way to get information.

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