Originally posted by Magnon
For example, if they shoot out from Earth either in a random direction or travel away from Earth in a random-walk zig-zag fashion, the probability to hit Pluto to a good approximation is given by:Prob = [r/(4R)]^2
where r = the radius of Pluto, R = the distance from Earth to Pluto. Plugging in the average r and R yields:
Prob = 0.000 000 000 000 012.
And the probability to hit ALL those solar-system objects consecutively is much, MUCH smaller still: they'd have to first hit Venus, then the corona of Sun, then the moons of Jupiter, etc. etc.
The final probability is RIDICULOUSLY small.
Yes but you assume it's random.