Al Johnston
"Cheer up!" they said, "It could be worse!" So I did, and it was.
Posts: 1,453
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Post by Al Johnston on Mar 22, 2006 17:25:46 GMT -4
It's actually the invisible UV radiation that burns you ;D
Where I live, you could sit outside all day without getting burned; it takes two weeks for the Lunar surface to reach its maximum temperature: planes don't tend to stay still that long.
On a more serious note, even assuming that there is some intensity and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that will cause catastrophic structural damage to an aircraft (and visible/IR/UV wavelengths are more promising than radio in this regard) there is still the inverse square law of propagation, which essentially means that the detection range of your beam will be a lot greater than the lethal range, giving the target plenty of opportunity to escape.
Historically, radar was first developed (by Robert Watson-Watt) from a British Government request to investigate the scientific feasibility of a "death ray": Watson-Watt pointed out that there was no realistic possibility of such a ray, but even if there were, the problems of where & how to aim it would remain. In practice, kinetic and chemical energy were and are more efficient at destruction, and radar has been used for detection and aiming only.
The delay between detecting a radar return and dispatching a missile also allows for an IFF system to enter the loop (great when it works!)
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Post by ajv on Mar 22, 2006 19:42:33 GMT -4
Where I live, you could sit outside all day without getting burnedIf that's Newcastle as in Newcastle Upon Tyne then I beg to differ. I got slightly sunburnt on a day trip visiting Housesteads Roman Fort, Chesters Fort and the Corbridge Roman site.
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Al Johnston
"Cheer up!" they said, "It could be worse!" So I did, and it was.
Posts: 1,453
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Post by Al Johnston on Mar 22, 2006 19:48:14 GMT -4
Well, obviously you have to pick your day ;D
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