(a) How long does it take the astronaut in Example 28.2 to travel at (as measured by the Earth-bound observer)? (b) How long does it take according to the astronaut? (c) Verify that these two times are related through time dilation with as given.
Example 28.2 Calculating Length Contraction: The Distance between Stars Contracts when You Travel at High Velocity Suppose an astronaut, such as the twin discussed in Simultaneity and Time Dilation, travels so fast that . (a) She travels from the Earth to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, away as measured by an Earth-bound observer. How far apart are the Earth and Alpha Centauri as measured by the astronaut? (b) In terms of c , what is her velocity relative to the Earth? You may neglect the motion of the Earth relative to the Sun. (See Figure 28.11.)
