How to see the earth millions of years ago.?

Question

Scientifficaly, is it possible to look back in time at earth by looking at the earth reflection on a star say 2.2 million light years away, would you be seeing the earth 4.4 million years ago?

Answer 1

Theoretically, it may be possible that we can see our galaxy as it was millions of years ago. But not the earth, and not by reflection.

The process called gravitational lensing, which occurs when light from a distant object like a galaxy or quasar is deflected by an intervening galaxy or massive black hole, could just possibly have this effect.

There would have to be just the right number of galaxies and/or black holes, situated at just the right places to bend light from the Milky Way, round in an enormous loop, back to where it started.

It is very unlikely, and even less likely that a telescope could be built that would resolve the Earth in such an view.

Answer 2

on way to see earth 2.2 million years ago is to go to a distance which is 2.2 million years ago. and about going there, it will take 2.2 million years to reach that distance which 2.2 million light years away so earth will be 2.2 million light years ago and therefore you will see earth in time you left. Plus earth is so small you wont be able to see it and it will be lost in the sun's glare.  

Answer 3

Yes, if there were a giant mirror 2.2 million lightyears away (about the distance to the Andromeda galaxy), you could in principle see light from the Earth from 4.4 million years ago.

Answer 4

Welll... not a star 2.2 million light years away, since they aren't reflective.  But if instead of a star, you had a hypothetical monster-sized mirror positioned just right and an equally hypothetical super-telescope, then yes, you could see back in time