Quote:
Originally Posted by MMM
I understand what you are saying, but would a "laser blast" as implied in the post carry that same power?
Would something with the power to, say, burn through a spaceship's hull be able to travel at the speed of light for many light years and strike a ship, (or planet, or asteroid, or whatever) and cause damage? Would it not "burn out" like a star does?
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Assuming that the post meant high radiation lasers doesn't matter. The principles are the same. Gamma radiation travels millions or even billions of light years from distant stars until met by something that has particular properties to fully reflect it, or until it is absorbed by (and damages) other matter. Planets, for instance. Or even people on said planets.
It is entirely feasible for a misdirected military laser with sufficient power to end up hitting an unintended target light years away assuming limited or no degradation due to absorption. In fact, the consequences could, theoretically, end up affecting sentient beings with no knowledge of the original conflict or its participants.
The likelihood of this? If you will excuse the pun, pretty much astronomical.