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Hello Tom,
Your answers are so helpful and easy to understand so i was wondering if you would answer another of mine?
Some of my friends convert signals e.g. optical to radio etc. and i was just wondering if you convert a signal too many times e.g. radio to optical to x ray, can it become useless and unusable?
Thankyou for your time and help,
Alice
Hi Again Alice,
BTW thanks very much for the nice comments and ratings.
Well, on this one I'm not quite sure what you're getting at, but just using the laws of efficiency with any working system, especially when you are changing phases, and realizing that there is no such thing as 100% efficiency.....(except perhaps computer to computer E-mail and picture transfers, since that's just the same electrons being resent and rearranged), I would have to guess that yes, eventually the information can become too weak, disorganized, and therefore useless, even at 99.9% efficiency.
But to be honest, this is only an educated guess on my part, as I don't understand the specifics of the question. In fact, is this really an astronomy question?
- Perhaps it's more for the Physics Department (not my field).
But I hope my answer at least helps you somewhat, but I can't guarantee it...maybe someone somewhere has invented 100% efficiency,(no loss of energy) like E-mails and pictures sent on computers.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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