A form of invisibility is already possible, it is called (I think) adaptive camouflage, and is in development by the US military and probably some other sources too. It works like this: cameras on one side of the object take an image, which is then displayed by screens on the other side of the object, effectively rendering it invisable to a casual observer. Yes, I know this was in the last James Bond movie, but it is not just a movie gadjet, it is actually possible in the real world.

I'm not sure if this is the type of invisiblity you are thinking of kimk.

Edit: Found a fairly short article on adaptive camouflage

Edited by - Huffer on 18-07-2003 16:16:41

There's apparently a prototype ship being developed by Sweden I beleive that is the water equivilant of a Stealth bomber. However it also has mulitply water jets taht suck up sea water and fire a very fine mist around it in a large cloud, thus creating a cloud effect in which it sits. Not quite invisible, but close.
True invisibility is basically the refraction of light around an object adn the continuation of that along the same path the light would have traveled has the said object been in the way.
Planets, Stars etc... all bend light. If a planet could be made to band all light totally around itself, hugging the atmos along the way, and then cancel the bend at the exact opposite of the point of entry, it's work. How you'd do it? Easy, watch Star Trek! Dunno, don't think it could be done, at least on a small scale.

Solidity and Phantasms: Remind me of an episode of Star Trek TNG, the Federation had secretly developed the Pegasus, whihc whilst appeared to cloak actually phased out of synch with everything else. That's a good point as to what you'd like to make! Again, doubt that can be done though. Even harder than point 1 IMO.

And ghosts. Dunno. Just about the only thing in the world I don't have an opinion on is the afterlife and all that that includes. Never heard good enough stories for or against.

If it wasn't for the inky blackness of the night you wouldn't appreciate the brilliance of the stars...



Edited by - Lutz on 18-07-2003 16:29:49

didn't commander riker serve on the pegasus lutz

"Make it so Number One"
Captain Picard 'Star Trek the Next Generation'

Yes, he was Ensign there. The crew mutinied, but he stood by his Captain, the old faithful dog that he is.

thank's lutz i knew he served on that ship but i couldn't remember what his rank was when he did

"Make it so Number One"
Captain Picard 'Star Trek the Next Generation'

No probs.
I can't remember the name of the Captain though, they did however mutiny cos the ship violated the Algol/Ageris/Altair (Whatever) Treaty with the Romulans.

Best stop talking about this now, we've gone wa-ay OT!

Edited by - Lutz on 18-07-2003 16:40:13

admiral pressman was his name although he was a captain at the time and the treaty is the algeron treaty i think

"Make it so Number One"
Captain Picard 'Star Trek the Next Generation'

Edited by - gowserpaul on 18-07-2003 16:43:16

yeah, the treaty of Algeron prevented the Federation from developing a cloaking device and after the mutiny on the pegasus they cloak malfunctioned and the ship decloaked and phased back to normal, encasing it into an asteroid.

i have nothing to add to this thread though, except that it went OT EXPERTLY fast

-arcon
------

1. Not impossible, just insanely impractical. Stealth tactics are better.
2. Not without horrible nasty things happening to your body.
3A. Not a chance. 3B. Nope.

adaptive or as it is otherwise known as the thermoptic camouflage

is the ability to bend light away from you therefore making you partially invisible
because movement is still visible by ruptures in the airflow

in other words to become totally invisible you'd have to rearrange the atoms of your body structure without losing conscience, but then you would be known as a ghost