If there were mirrors deep in space, could we use telescopes to look at our own past?

Question

If we had the technology to put a huge mirror deep in space, and I mean really big and really far away, could we aim a telescope like Hubble at it, and see the earth as it was a few minutes ago, or a few hours?

Answer 1

In theory, yes.



In practice, probably not. We can barely make out the existence of other (giant) planets orbiting other stars with our best telescopes. But to look our reflection on a mirror many light years away? We'd just be a speck at most. Only a few photons from our planet would reach that mirror and reflect back to our telescope -- we might be able to tell that there's something there (like a planet), but to be able to make out details on our planet (like to see that Bob used to have a tree in his back yard?) ... no way.

Answer 2

Now you are on the bleeding edge.The phase conjugate radar system creates a wave form whose return wave follows the exact path as the incident wave.So that normal distortions in space do not affect or cause a distortion and are almost instantaneous when displayed at the original point.Yet if you looked into a mirror at distance instead of seeing your face and surroundings you would only see your eyes pupil.And if you angled another mirror to this reflection you would be working with one end of a Fulcrum.Manipulate time as size instead of speed and you are on your way.

Answer 3

Yes, this would work just as you're thinking.



But there is a small catch. You could never use this method to look at something that happened before construction of the mirrors, because you'd have to outrun the light already emitted by Earth prior to construction.

Answer 4

you know looking through a mirror doubles the distance in which you look at an object. so there for you would see nothing. plus by the time you got a mirror out that far you probably see things you already know about. in fact that would be the case.

Answer 5

Yes, ignoring the practical problems with that, like getting the mirror aligned or having enough resolution to make something out.



Interesting thought experiment

Answer 6

It would be insufficient cause images of oiur adily activities dont travel thru space only light. Which we do anyways when we look in to the night sky.

Answer 7

Yeah. That could work in theory. I think it would be easier just to videotape yourself and watch it a few hours later.

Answer 8

No way not possible.Our solar system is not old enough to look back upon itself.