Aliens and Dinosaurs: A Telescopic View of Earth's Ancient Past

The idea of distant alien civilizations observing Earth's past might seem fantastical. However, with the right tools and calculation, we can explore the limits of what such an interstellar observer could discern. Let's delve into the fascinating capabilities and limitations of a hypothetical alien with a powerful telescope observing Earth through its ancient past, focusing on the timeline of dinosaurs.

Why Aliens Far Away Might See Dinosaurs

One might wonder, could aliens from a distant galaxy see dinosaurs through a powerful telescope? While it would be highly improbable, the following analysis sheds light on the potential for such an observation.

Assuming the aliens are at a distance of 65 million light-years or more, they would not be able to resolve dinosaurs themselves. This is because the light particles that have traveled such a vast distance would not provide enough detail to identify individual dinosaurs or distinguish their features. This distance means that whatever they observe of Earth would be from a point in history long before the last dinosaur went extinct, approximately 65 million years ago.

Theoretical Observations

To make sense of what these aliens might observe, let's consider the following process:

Learning Earth's Rotation: The aliens would first need to understand Earth's rotation. By choosing a region on Earth and capturing snapshots of that region at the same time every day, they could gradually accumulate enough light particles (photons) to discern the major and less-mobile features of the Earth's surface. Collecting Photons: Over a period of time, the aliens could gather enough photons to form a clear image of the Earth's surface. With enough photons, they might even be able to see details of plants and landscapes, particularly in regions with less wind interference. Observing Moving Objects: Dinosaurs and other moving objects would not be discernible in the same way. However, they might catch a glimpse of a dinosaur carcass, providing a general idea of the creature's appearance, given that the carcass remains relatively undisturbed and continues to emit light particles over time.

Conclusion: The Limitations of Real-Time Observation

While the aliens could potentially observe the major topographical and biological features of Earth, they would not be able to observe dinosaurs or other moving objects in real-time. They could, however, capture static images of a dinosaur carcass or a fossil over a period of days or months, but not the dynamic movements or the creature itself.

The vast distance and the time it takes for light to travel mean that the aliens would observe Earth from a very specific historical period, making it impossible to capture life on Earth in real-time, let alone create movies of dinosaurs in action.