Is Faster than Light Time Travel Possible?

In summary: However, according to general relativity, the tachyon would continue to travel at the speed of light, unaffected by the 'slowing down' of time on the surface of our planet. In summary, Neil deGrasse Tyson was speaking about the theoretical possibility of traveling faster than the speed of light, and how it might be possible to travel back in time if you could find a way to interact with the time continuum. He didn't elaborate on the concept very much, so I was wondering if anyone else could offer more insight.
  • #36
jiohdi said:
FTL travel is still forwards in time not backwards... by definition you are traveling some distance in some forward unit of time. Just because you are outside a light cone does not mean you are traveling backwards in time...

The point is that different observers would disagree about the order of events. Some observers would say that the tachyon was present at all points along the trajectory simultaneously. Others would say that it traveled from event A to event B, and still others would say that it traveled from event B to event A.

one part of the equation that seemingly gets ignored is the mass... if you could in theory travel your mass to a prior spacetime coordinate what do you suspect you would find? what is missing is the rest of the universes mass... your traveling to a prior spacetime coordinate would not drag that mass back with you... you would undoubtedly find yourself in hyperspace alone or with some other hyperspacial objects but the past you were looking for would not be there... that only exists in records.

I'm not sure what you're getting at here.
 
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  • #37
CJames said:
The point is that different observers would disagree about the order of events. Some observers would say that the tachyon was present at all points along the trajectory simultaneously. Others would say that it traveled from event A to event B, and still others would say that it traveled from event B to event A.



I'm not sure what you're getting at here.

anyone who could measure a tachyon as moving faster than light would be measuring a forwards time by definition... otherwise it would not make any sense to say it was faster than light... a major point of relativity theory is the ability to normalize any frame of reference ot any other by means of the lorenz transformations and come to an understanding of a true order of how reality unfolded.
 
  • #38
jiohdi said:
anyone who could measure a tachyon as moving faster than light would be measuring a forwards time by definition...

The point is that, because it could be arranged such that event B preceded event A, it is possible that effect can precede cause i.e. violating causality, i.e. a form of time travel.
 
  • #39
jiohdi said:
anyone who could measure a tachyon as moving faster than light would be measuring a forwards time by definition... otherwise it would not make any sense to say it was faster than light... a major point of relativity theory is the ability to normalize any frame of reference ot any other by means of the lorenz transformations and come to an understanding of a true order of how reality unfolded.

Except that this isn't the case if trajectories outside of the light cone are allowed. The ability to travel between two events with spacelike separation is the ability to travel between two events that should not be causally connected to one another. This is one of the main reasons why they are suspected not to exist.
 
  • #40
Thanks for the information.
 
  • #41
abaio said:
Thanks for the information.

You're welcome.
 
<h2>1. Is faster than light time travel possible?</h2><p>Currently, according to the laws of physics, faster than light time travel is not possible. The theory of relativity states that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. However, there are some theoretical concepts, such as wormholes and Alcubierre drive, that suggest the possibility of faster than light travel. But these ideas are still purely theoretical and have not been proven to be possible.</p><h2>2. Can we travel back in time faster than the speed of light?</h2><p>No, according to the theory of relativity, traveling back in time faster than the speed of light is not possible. This is because as an object approaches the speed of light, time slows down for that object. Therefore, if an object were to travel faster than the speed of light, time would essentially stop for that object, making it impossible to travel back in time.</p><h2>3. Are there any examples of faster than light travel in science fiction?</h2><p>Yes, there are many examples of faster than light travel in science fiction, such as warp drive in Star Trek and hyperspace travel in Star Wars. However, these are purely fictional concepts and have not been proven to be possible in real life.</p><h2>4. What are the potential consequences of faster than light time travel?</h2><p>If faster than light time travel were to become possible, it could have significant consequences on our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It could also have implications for causality, as traveling faster than light could potentially allow for events to occur before their causes, leading to paradoxes.</p><h2>5. Is there any ongoing research on faster than light time travel?</h2><p>Yes, there is ongoing research on faster than light time travel, particularly in the field of theoretical physics. Scientists are exploring different theories and concepts, such as wormholes and Alcubierre drive, to see if they could potentially lead to faster than light travel. However, at this point, there is no concrete evidence or proof that faster than light time travel is possible.</p>

1. Is faster than light time travel possible?

Currently, according to the laws of physics, faster than light time travel is not possible. The theory of relativity states that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. However, there are some theoretical concepts, such as wormholes and Alcubierre drive, that suggest the possibility of faster than light travel. But these ideas are still purely theoretical and have not been proven to be possible.

2. Can we travel back in time faster than the speed of light?

No, according to the theory of relativity, traveling back in time faster than the speed of light is not possible. This is because as an object approaches the speed of light, time slows down for that object. Therefore, if an object were to travel faster than the speed of light, time would essentially stop for that object, making it impossible to travel back in time.

3. Are there any examples of faster than light travel in science fiction?

Yes, there are many examples of faster than light travel in science fiction, such as warp drive in Star Trek and hyperspace travel in Star Wars. However, these are purely fictional concepts and have not been proven to be possible in real life.

4. What are the potential consequences of faster than light time travel?

If faster than light time travel were to become possible, it could have significant consequences on our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It could also have implications for causality, as traveling faster than light could potentially allow for events to occur before their causes, leading to paradoxes.

5. Is there any ongoing research on faster than light time travel?

Yes, there is ongoing research on faster than light time travel, particularly in the field of theoretical physics. Scientists are exploring different theories and concepts, such as wormholes and Alcubierre drive, to see if they could potentially lead to faster than light travel. However, at this point, there is no concrete evidence or proof that faster than light time travel is possible.

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