Some of these galaxies are almost approaching 90% the speed of light. Why does their mass not restrict them moving this fast as nothing with a mass can reach the speed of light, or is it possible in this case.
2007-10-08 08:03:43 · 5 answers · asked by 00000 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Special relativity puts a restriction on local rest frames which can not move faster relative to each other than the speed of light. General relativity uses the same LOCAL restriction but says nothing about GLOBAL limits. Instead, it predicts that the expansion of space can indeed isolate different objects which are far from each other. This isolation does not work like a wall which the object goes through and disappears behind. Instead a far away object simply gets more and more red-shifted and like at the Schwarzshild horizon of a black hole time seems to stop while the sight goes dark.
And please keep in mind that in their local neighborhood these objects see the same thing as we do: next to them everything moves slowly and one has to look very far to see objects move at 90% of the speed of light. And those objects happen to be only 10% of the age of the universe (or something like that)!
2007-10-08 08:39:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Except during the Inflationary period just after the big bang, nothing (including the Universe itself) can exceed light speed.
However, it IS possible to get as close to light speed as you like.... and as you note, lots of galaxies are already moving at 90% of light speed .....
PS in case of confusion .. 90% of light speed is LESS than the speed of light ...
2007-10-09 11:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by Steve B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats relativity. were also moving. so really is were viewing a galaxy that looks as if its moving 90% c its really moving at maybe 45% c because the milky way and the galaxy we are observing are moving away from each other, both are moving not just one. and technically, any matter can travel at 99.99999(infinite 9's)% c. as you get faster it increases exponentially. so basically you can have any amount of energy except an infinite amount. so matter can travel at the speed right below the speed of light
2007-10-08 16:21:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mathematically all mass can travel at the speed of light, with a measure able amount of energy accelerating its thrust.
Even so this amount of energy would be hard to capture, and have to be very kinetic.
Actually the heavier the mass, the more energy it takes to accelerate it (on a non-slop trajectory).
2007-10-08 15:25:10 · answer #4 · answered by Eternal Nihilist 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mr Baird as you know as well as me mass and weight does not matter out there.
2007-10-08 17:45:12 · answer #5 · answered by mushybilly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋