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jocaal | 6 months ago

Why do we need radio telescopes. Satellite communications are infinitely more useful for people on earth than some research papers about things light-years away

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dylan604|6 months ago

> Why do we need radio telescopes.

Because they provide data that other types of telescopes do not. We have X-ray telescopes. We have infrared telescopes. We have optical telescopes. Also as a bonus, for ground based radio telescopes, we can use them 24/7 instead of waiting for nighttime.

voxlax|6 months ago

Yes, but if it hadn't been for the efforts of visionary scientists at NASA trying to reach the stars, there would be no means of putting those satellites into orbit.

brookst|6 months ago

This is the but I don’t see the relevance. Is there an argument / position there or just an observation?

kevindamm|6 months ago

Ironically, those satellites would not be able to communicate effectively without the understanding of relativity that was obtained by looking at things light-years away.

jocaal|6 months ago

Einstein developed relativity from mathematical reasoning. A major influence was the michaelson morley experiment, which was solely done on earth. Relativity was developed in the early 1900's and the first radio telescope was made in the 1930's. Also, orbital mechanics uses mostly Newtonian mechanics and the communication of satellites is radio waves which were understood way before einstein. There is no relativity involved. Literally everything you said is factually incorrect.