Question

Astronaut mark uri is space-traveling from planet x to planet y at a speed of relative to the planets, which are at rest relative to each other. when he is precisely halfway between the planets, a distance of 1.0 light-hour from each one as measured in the planet frame, nuclear devices are detonated on both planets. the explosions are simultaneous in mark's frame. what is the difference in the time of arrival of the flashes from the explosions as observed by mark?

Answer 1

From the point of view of the astronaut, he travels between planets with a speed of 0.6c. His distance between the planets is less than the other bodies around him and so by applying Lorentz factor, we have 2*√1-0.6² = 1.6 light hours. On the other hand, from the point of view of the other bodies, time for them is slower. For the bodies, they have to wait for about 1/0.6 = 1.67 light hours while for him it is 1/(0.8) = 1.25 light hours. The remaining distance for the astronaut would be 1.67 - 1.25 = 0.42 light hours. And then, light travels in all frames and so the astronaut will see that the flash from the second planet after 0.42 light hours and from the 1.25 light hours is, 1.25 - 0.42 = 0.83 light hours or 49.8 minutes.