3. Spaceman Spiff passes Earth in his super-galactic mega spaceship at a speed o

Question

3. Spaceman Spiff passes Earth in his super-galactic mega spaceship at a speed of yc, 2 heading towards planet Chronos. According to earth-bound observers it is this moment that Susie Derkins is born on Chronos, 10 light years away. Chronos and Earth are in the same rest frame. (a) According to Spaceman Spiff, how far away was he from Chronos when Susie Derkins (b) According to Spaceman Spiff, what is the difference in time between his passing Earth (c) According to Spaceman Spiff, was Susie Derkins born before or after he passed Earth? was born? and the birth of Susie Derkins?

Explanation / Answer

a) One light year= 9.461 × 1012 Km

Here, spaceman is 10 light years away from Chronos when Susi Derkins was born.

b) According to spaceman, the light from 'birthday of Susie' reaches his eyes when he passes Earth. So in his perspective there is no time difference.

But in reality, there is a very large time difference between him passing Earth and 'birthday of Susie'. It is the time taken for light/electromagnetic waves to travel 10light years.

c) According to spaceman, Susie born was born after he passed Earth(the same reason as 'b').

In reality its not, because there is a time difference of 10 million years of traveling.

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