Kerfudamapa
Kerfudamapa t1_ixcsgwj wrote
Reply to comment by Blank_bill in Just how dark is deep space? by ArmchairSpinDoctor
I mean, you'll see a laser reflected back right? Is there much detail to be observed this way?
Kerfudamapa t1_ix8fggy wrote
Reply to Just how dark is deep space? by ArmchairSpinDoctor
I believe It all comes down to the angle of light hitting it and being reflected to your eye, and the amount of light that is being reflected really.
In sci-fi, we'll see a spacecraft in detail because that's what the audience is expecting but, more than likely, in deep space with a vast amount of distance to the nearest star you probably wouldn't be seeing much.
However, the same goes for a moon-sized spaceship that is sitting in the earth's shadow in our own solar system. If there's little/no light hitting it that is reflected to your eye then it's effectively invisible to us.
The point being, while all objects do emit light (usually in the infrared; Google black body radiation) it becomes increasingly difficult to see reflected light from a small source point, onto a small object, that you are well distanced from. Maybe if you plan on venturing into deep space you should bring a floodlight or two?
Kerfudamapa t1_jeaipr8 wrote
Reply to At some point, someone thought to ground up the meat of a pig, shove it inside its own intestines, and cook it for people to eat. by greatpoomonkey
The Scots are geniuses of making ridiculous stuff seem awesome