Dialogues on the Various Means of Journeying

Light Booms

In the beginning, one might perceive this site as frivolous, offering answers of a frivolous nature. However, I emerge unexpectedly, introducing profound scientific discourse. A revelation indeed.

I posit the feasibility of refining our focus and devising scientific methodologies to ascertain the potential presence and manner of extraterrestrial visitation. As you, deeply engrossed in the topic of aliens, likely already discern, light experiences redshift as it moves away from us and blueshift as it approaches. At velocities nearing the speed of light, intriguing phenomena manifest. Specifically, envision an alien craft nearing Earth: initially blueshifted, the light from this vessel would escalate to gamma ray frequencies at near-light velocities, rendering it invisible within the visible spectrum, instead emitting radiation.

Should aliens voyage to Earth at or near faster-than-light (FTL) speeds, their journey would generate gamma ray "shockwaves," akin to a sonic boom as they near light speed. Two distinctive gamma ray occurrences would arise: first upon their approach to light speed, then near Earth as they decelerate.

Historically observed UFOs, often described as white tic-tacs or metallic disks, reflect visible light, implying a lack of cloaking. Consequently, they would emit gamma ray bursts as theorized.

Regarding FTL travel, accelerating at 1G, it would require approximately a year to attain light speed. Thus, extraterrestrial entities may plausibly transport themselves within a light-year of our solar system, strategically navigating to its periphery before inwardly approaching.