- #1
hy23
- 64
- 0
Homework Statement
Star D goes supernova at x=0 and t=0. One year later and 2 ly away (measured by astronomers in the galaxy), star E explodes. The explosions are observed by 3 spaceships going from D to E at respective velocities:
v1=0.3c
v2=0.5c
v3=0.7c
What are the times of the two explosions as measured by scientists on each of the 3 spaceships?
Does one spaceship find the explosions to be simultaneous? Does this violate causality?
Does one spaceship find that E explodes before D? Does this violate causality?
Homework Equations
Not sure whether or not to use the spacetime interval or Lorentz transformations
s2=c2t2-x2
x'=[tex]\gamma[/tex](x-vt)
t'=[tex]\gamma[/tex](t-vx/c2)
where [tex]\gamma[/tex]= t/t'
where t' is proper time. ( I hope I have this right at least)
The Attempt at a Solution
I haven't done the calculations yet because I have no idea which equation to plug my values into, but just looking at it qualitatively, isn't the time that D explodes always going to be t=0 for all 3 spaceships?
And the spaceships traveling faster will find that E explodes earlier?