2006-08-27 09:15:15 · 11 answers · asked by ryn 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
This is a trick question. If you were on earth watching someone travel to Proxima Centauri at the speed of light, it would take 4.3 years or so. But if you were the one travelling, it would seem like much, much less, depending on your acceleration. If you could instantly accelerate to the speed of light, it would seem to take no time at all.
2006-08-27 09:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by Like An Ibis 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Proxima Centauri - a small red dwarf and closest to the sun - is 4.2 light years. It is part of a system of 3 stars called the Alpha Centauri system.
Of course even at the speed of light - time back on earth will progress at its sub-light speed. Also you will have to account for accelerating and decelerating. On the ship you would experience a 12 month journey while on earth is would take 19 years depending upon how you planned to get there.
An excellent book that goes through the entire physics and experience of traveling to the Alpha Centauri system is "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russel.
2006-08-27 17:19:31 · answer #2 · answered by Timothy K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The closest star system to our Sun is the Alpha Centauri system, which consists of three stars. Of these three stars, Alpha Centauri C, also known as Proxima Centauri, is the closest (at present). It'll take about 4.2 years to get there if you traveled at the speed of light, not taking into account acceleration and deceleration.
2006-08-27 17:10:32 · answer #3 · answered by Davon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alpha centauri is the nearest star which is roughly 25 trillion miles and takes light 4 1/3 light years to get there
2006-08-27 18:45:23 · answer #4 · answered by silly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alpha Centauri is about 4 light years away. It takes light from that closest star to reach us.
2006-08-27 16:37:33 · answer #5 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
around 4 years
of course, when you got there you would be going the speed of light and you might be to the next star by the time you could slow down relative to the star in question
2006-08-27 16:18:13 · answer #6 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Proxima Centauri in 4.2 years
2006-08-27 16:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have 2 kids and a dog, it will take about 50 years considering bathroom stops.
2006-08-27 16:49:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
30 light years to alpha centauri
packing your stuff already?
2006-08-27 16:19:48 · answer #9 · answered by Roland 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
4.2 light year
2006-08-27 16:55:19 · answer #10 · answered by sonicwingmode 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋