In another question a person asked about light bending around planets to get to us here on earth, and does that change the measurement of a light year. Well, all these intelligent (no sarcasim intended here) folks said yes, it bends around planets to get here but the speed doesn't change so on and so forth. Well, if it bends around palnets to get here, how is it we achieve a total eclipse and it gets dark? One doesn't mesh with the other in my mind so please explain how it can bend around a planet to get here, yet sometimes the planet eclipses the sun and no light gets here?
2006-09-28 07:16:09 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Ok, I have nine answers at the moment, and they all seem pretty good. I thank you all for your answers.
2006-09-28 07:31:05 · update #1
The key here is HOW MUCH does it bend? Just because it bends doesn't mean it will always bend enough to reach an observer at a given point.
2006-09-28 07:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. light always travels in a straight line.
Although the measurements come out the same, light does NOT bend around planets. SPACE BENDS, the light is still going straight. Look at something with very fine detail far away across the edge of a sharp knife. Matter distorts space, we feel this distortion as gravity, the light is deflected around the knife edge so it appears to bend.
2. Light always travels at C (relative to the observer.)
When light encounters an amorphous field of matter, such as water, air, or glass, it is deflected so many times (by the distortion of space by all those molecules) that is appears to go slower. But actually it is going the same speed, the slowness is just because its taking a longer path because of all the deflections.
side note: some photons are captured by electrons, and then slung out again. this will also cause deflection and even reflection of photons.
look at light reflected from the non-label side of a CD. Because the "edges" of the information pattern stamped into the CD are at distances that are multiples of the vibrational frequency of photons, the light that is reflected splits into rainbow patterns.
2006-09-28 17:05:19 · answer #2 · answered by disco legend zeke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, first off a total solar eclipse on earth happens when the moon completely blocks out the sun. As it turns out, right now the apparent size of the moon from earth is just a tiny bit bigger than the apparent size of the sun -- making the moon able to block the sun completely. Light does indeed bend around the moon because of gravity, so it doesn't completely block out all light, the bent light mingles with the solar corona which is visible during an eclipse. So there's no contradiction.
2006-09-28 14:25:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
all the light doesn't bend around the stars, just like all the light doesn't bend during an eclipse, and thats why its not pitch black when there is an eclipse of the sun. As far as light bending around planets and stars to get here, that is because of refraction and the gravitational force of the planets and stars, and once again, not all the light is bent. Imagine if all the light from our sun was bent around our planet, we would all die.
2006-09-28 14:28:01 · answer #4 · answered by Hans B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't mean to offend but it seems you haven't quite understood the concept. Consider these:-
1) The bend is very very very smallin case of planets
2) It bends to a huge extent when travelling near objects with high density and mass. For example, Black Holes, which are actually dead stars with huge density.
But if you are considering only light from the sun to the earth it would be better if you neglect the bend. For the greater the distance the greater would be the distortion of light's path.
2006-09-28 14:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by knight_anirban 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It only bends around very massive stars or black holes, not planets. It bends a little bit near planets, but not all the way "around" them.
Plus no planet can block the sun entirely from the earth b/c only mars and mercury are inside our orbit and are so far away that they would not create an eclipse.
2006-09-28 14:23:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A total eclipse does not result in complete darkness. It interferes with direct sunlight for a short period but light still reaches the Earth.
Here's a photograph taken during a total eclipse:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap031208.html
2006-09-28 14:23:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES THE SPEED OF LIGHT CHANGES!!!!
Light can be manipulated to go faster, slower and even backwards depending on the medium it goes through such as super heavy elements around other star systems and gravitational lensing. Read links below for some insight.
2006-09-28 14:23:49 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I shouldn't worry Ed., you and I will rewrite the 'Theory on the Speed of Light'. I have never believed it either. If time is relevant according to Einstein, then the speed of light is only relevant to where it is at any given time - not at both ends of its path. Does that make sense, or should I return to the old folk's home and have my nap.................
2006-09-28 14:22:44 · answer #9 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it bends, but not alot. the more massive an object, the more it bends. It does bend more around very massive objects, including other stars. its just part of the fun of astronomy.
2006-09-28 15:23:57 · answer #10 · answered by sathor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋