"Bad Universe", Phil's top secret project?

[Ara Pacis]

Okay, I just watched it. Not bad: only two Holy Haleakulas. But I disagree about the whole bacteria hitching a ride thing. If the bacteria are inside the meteorite and it's not too large, it will slow down to a much slower speed by the time it hits the ground. I recall that he even discussed this on an astronomy bite on his original website. I'm not sure why he would abandon that calculation now.

[IsaacKuo]

But I disagree about the whole bacteria hitching a ride thing. If the bacteria are inside the meteorite and it's not too large, it will slow down to a much slower speed by the time it hits the ground. I recall that he even discussed this on an astronomy bite on his original website. I'm not sure why he would abandon that calculation now.

Yes, that was bad also. But not as throw-the-book-against-the-wall bad as the acceleration thing.

[peter eldergill]

I'm sure that Phil has to make "compromises" in the script to please the network funding the show.

The momentum of the meteor would affect its impact speed wouldn't it?

A better second effort I thought

Edit: Speaking of acceleration, there was no mention of having to slow down once you've reached the destination either

Pete

[HenrikOlsen]

Edit: Speaking of acceleration, there was no mention of having to slow down once you've reached the destination either

No need, in physics it's still acceleration, you're just accelerating in the other direction.

[Ara Pacis]

I'm sure that Phil has to make "compromises" in the script to please the network funding the show.

Yes, but compromises shouldn't misrepresent facts. I would give Phil a pass under the assumption that they would only endure the acceleration for a short time at launch to get to an escape velocity before the rocket cut-out, but he said they would have to endure decades of high G acceleration which is not only highly improbable, it soon runs up against impossible due to relativity (I won't speculate as to which frame of reference he might use). The only realistic way to travel at acceleration for decades is to slog along with really low accelerations.

Referencing Heinlein's calculations in Expanded Universe: at the bearable 1 gee acceleration equivalent to that with which we live here on Earth, getting to the non-planet Pluto only takes a little over 2 weeks. At solar sail class accelerations of 1/1000 gee, it still takes less than 1.5 years. Note that these are two leg journeys with a turnover and reverse (braking) acceleration for half of that time. A continuously forward-accelerated (non-braking) flyby would arrive much quicker, less than a year at 1/1000 gee (calculated by rounding to 3 billion miles). At 5 gees referenced in Phil's show it would take about 5 days.

The momentum of the meteor would affect its impact speed wouldn't it?

The more massive it is, the more speed it will retain after passage through the atmosphere, assuming it doesn't explode at altitude and assuming it doesn't skip off the atmosphere on an aerocapture trajectory.

[peter eldergill]

Yes, but compromises shouldn't misrepresent facts. I would give Phil a pass under the assumption that they would only endure the acceleration for a short time at launch to get to an escape velocity before the rocket cut-out, but he said they would have to endure decades of high G acceleration which is not only highly improbable, it soon runs up against impossible due to relativity (I won't speculate as to which frame of reference he might use). The only realistic way to travel at acceleration for decades is to slog along with really low accelerations.

My bold

So do you think he misspoke, or something was lost "in translation" to layman speak? The whole explanation seemed a bit weak on the numbers

Pete

[Van Rijn]

Yes, but compromises shouldn't misrepresent facts. I would give Phil a pass under the assumption that they would only endure the acceleration for a short time at launch to get to an escape velocity before the rocket cut-out, but he said they would have to endure decades of high G acceleration which is not only highly improbable, it soon runs up against impossible due to relativity (I won't speculate as to which frame of reference he might use). The only realistic way to travel at acceleration for decades is to slog along with really low accelerations.

There are practical issues to acceleration (for instance, mass ratios if a rocket scheme), and dangers of running into stuff at high relative velocities, but there aren't theoretical relativity limits on acceleration, no matter how hard you accelerate.

[Ara Pacis]

There are practical issues to acceleration (for instance, mass ratios if a rocket scheme), and dangers of running into stuff at high relative velocities, but there aren't theoretical relativity limits on acceleration, no matter how hard you accelerate.

impractical = impossible for this exercise.

So do you think he misspoke, or something was lost "in translation" to layman speak? The whole explanation seemed a bit weak on the numbers

That was a long sentence, so I'll distill it; "I would... but." In other words, something doesn't add up and parsing all his comments leads me to suspect it's not an editing issue. It is a paradox: I assume he knows, so I can't explain why he appeared not to know.

[publiusr]

Now NSWR was to have sustained acceleration for hours, if doable. That's not bad esp. if you can keep it at 1 g.

[NEOWatcher]

Episode 3 tomorrow...

I just happened to be on the BA site, and noticed today's story. I thought it was worth a heads up over here.

Bad Universe Episode 3 airs Tuesday April 19

Well, it’s been a while coming, but I’m pleased to let y’all know that the third and final episode of "Bad Universe" will air on The Discovery Channel tomorrow, April 19, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern (US) time — but of course, check your local listings.

[R.A.F.]

Episode 3 tomorrow...

I just happened to be on the BA site, and noticed today's story.

...where Phil almost begs people to watch...

Why doesn't he just start a thread here?...that would certainly advertise it.

[grapes]

Phil hasn't posted to BAUT for years.

[publiusr]

Thats a little sad. He is busy of course.

[George]

"He excels in math!" C3PO

[R.A.F.]

Thats a little sad. He is busy of course.

At one time I accepted the "I'm too busy" reason for Phil abandoning his own forum, but really...how long does it take to type a quick note?? Naw, the "i'm too busy" reason just doesn't "fly". it seems Phil just doesn't want to post here...not even to promote his TV show.

...and that is sad...