h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thread for questions

Yes, here's a question.

If Big Brother UK started in 1999, then how far into space would the TV transmissions have reached in that time? Which habitable planets would be within that region, and how likely is it that their inhabitants would by now have assumed that there is no intelligent life on Earth?

That's three questions

1) 9 light years
2) One that we know of
3) Most likely

(although I do find life on Earth interesting, whether intelligent or not)

(Well, it was a three-part question)

Thanks for that. I think the fact that we could now be broadcasting reality TV to our nearest neighbours should be a wake-up call to the industry.

How many light years distant is the nearest, by the way?

You're welcome, thanks for reading my column

The nearest extrasolar planet is a gas giant in orbit around epsilon Eridani which is just 10.5 light years distant.
http://www.spacetelescope.org/goodies/printlayouts/html/heic0613.html

Ah, so just outside the 9 years, then. I doubt whether you'd get intelligent life on a gas giant, though.

Maybe this could be the subject of an EG or Post entry - list the extrasolar planets and what they would be watching on UK TV. Do you fancy a collaboration? I can research the TV - I just need a list of habitable planets and a precise distance for each

The best bet would be Gliese 581 c in Libra (the star is Gliese 581/HO Librae - a red dwarf) the planet designated "c" is very close to the star - much closer than Earth/Sun - but Gliese 581 is much cooler so Gliese 581 c would probably be in the habitable zone. I'd pick that one if I was searching for

Gliese 581 is 20.5 light years distance from us: info here -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6589157.stm

How many more would you like?

P.S. Gas giants in the habital zone aren't discounted as they may have rocky moons with enough gravity to retain an atmosphere, might as well paint a target "X" on those

Yes an Entry on ths would be great we could put a scientific analysis in PR and a fun one in The Post, imagine what the aliens are watching on Earth TV channel tonight,

I prefer the science in the Post and the fun in the EG, myself

I reckon we'd need a handful of good-bet habitable planets, preferably at a range of distances. 20 ly is an ideal choice - they'd be seeing TV pictures of us in Kajagoogoo mullets and Lady-Di boiler suits.

OK, I'll work on a few ideas, then I'll mail you.

Icy