SPACE AND TIME ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site time dilation A phenomenon predicted by the special theory of relativity in which the passage of time in the frame of reference of a moving object slows down as the object approaches the speed of light. Effectively, this makes it possible to spend energy to buy time. Time dilation has been experimentally confirmed using cesium clocks that can measure extremely small periods of time A potentially important consequence follows for future interstellar flight. Simply by traveling fast enough, an astronaut can reach any destination within a specified amount of (shipboard) time. The table below gives the travel times, as measured by onboard clocks, to Arcturus, located 36 light-years (11 parsecs) from the Sun, for a spacecraft traveling at various speeds (given as fractions of the speed of light, c). Shipboard travel times to Arcturus at various speeds Speed 0.1c 0.5c 0.9c 0.99c 0.999c Travel time 358.2 years 62.4 years 17.4 years 5.13 years 1.61 years Impressive though these results seem, they do not take into account the profound human problems which would surely follow from time dislocation. Related entries    • Twins paradox    • time travel Related categories    • SPACE AND TIME    • ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP