Guest Thinkers — November 2, 2010

Intergalactic “G” Mail?

Could the power of gravity be harnessed as a means of nearly instantaneous communication between planets—and even galaxies?

Michio Kaku

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Every Wednesday, Michio Kaku will be answering reader questions about physics and futuristic science. If you have a question for Dr. Kaku, just post it in the comments section below and check back on Wednesdays to see if he answers it.

Today, Dr. Kaku addresses a question posed by Aaron Anderson: Can we utilize the orbital gravity of the outer planets to propel messages far beyond our solar system?

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Starts With A Bang

Could dark matter be made of gravitons?

Dark matter hasn’t been directly detected, but some form of invisible matter is clearly gravitating. Could the graviton hold the answer?

Starts With A Bang

Yes, two planets really can share the same orbit

Can two planets stably share the same orbit? Conventional wisdom says no, but a look at Saturn’s moons might tell a different story.

a close up of the planet with a black background.

Hard Science

Could you stand on the surface of Jupiter? Exploring the enigmatic outer planets

The outer planets’ clouds hide the weirdness within.

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: Will a comet storm soon threaten the Earth?

Massive objects like black holes, stars, and rogue planets routinely pass near our Solar System. An ensuing comet storm could destroy us.

Starts With A Bang

Could we use the Sun’s gravity to find alien life?

With a telescope at just the right distance from the Sun, we could use its gravity to enhance and magnify a potentially inhabited planet.

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