Visual effects of SR versus GR

In summary, the conversation discusses the visual effects produced by general relativity (GR) and special relativity (SR) when traveling in a space ship at high speeds. It is mentioned that acceleration affects the visual effects in SR, but GR adds effects from gravitation. The conversation also discusses the use of a renderer based on SR equations as a good approximation to the real effects of GR, as long as large gravity wells are avoided. The conversation ends by recommending a website that deals with visualization of both SR and GR effects.
  • #1
TGlad
136
1
If you are traveling very very fast in a space ship, are there any visual effects produced by general relativity that you wouldn't see from just special relativity?
Assuming we don't get close to large gravity wells like black holes.

Does the acceleration of the ship produce any visual effects due to GR? As SR doesn't care about acceleration, just velocity.

In other words, if I wrote a renderer based on special relativity, would it look wrong as I flew around in space near light speed?

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
TGlad said:
Does the acceleration of the ship produce any visual effects due to GR? As SR doesn't care about acceleration, just velocity.
Acceleration of ship certainly produce rather weird and counterintuitive effects but they are still SR effects.

There is video that might give some idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQnHTKZBTI4"
 
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  • #3
Great link.
I suppose that acceleration still affects the visual in SR because the ships motion changes during the duration of each light path.

So, could we conclude that a renderer based on SR (Lorentz) equations would be a good approximation to the real (GR) effect, if we stay clear of large gravity wells?
 
  • #4
The best website dealing with SR & GR effects visualization is probably:
http://www.spacetimetravel.org/

You have to differentiate between SR & GR effects on the one hand, and signal delay effects on the other. The 4D ray tracers they use naturally incorporate both aspects. Here some of their publications:
http://www.sfb716.uni-stuttgart.de/uploads/tx_vispublications/vis05-weiskopf-relativity.pdf
http://iopscience.iop.org/0004-637X/563/1/289/pdf/0004-637X_563_1_289.pdf
http://www.computer.org/portal/web/csdl/doi/10.1109/TVCG.2006.69
 
  • #5
TGlad said:
If you are traveling very very fast in a space ship, are there any visual effects produced by general relativity that you wouldn't see from just special relativity?
[..]
So, could we conclude that a renderer based on SR (Lorentz) equations would be a good approximation to the real (GR) effect, if we stay clear of large gravity wells?

Yes indeed: SR perfectly handles effects from acceleration, GR only adds effects from gravitation.
 
  • #6
Thanks
 

Related to Visual effects of SR versus GR

1. What is the difference between visual effects of SR and GR?

The theory of relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, includes two main components: Special Relativity (SR) and General Relativity (GR). SR deals with the effects of motion on objects, while GR deals with the effects of gravity. As such, the visual effects of SR and GR are fundamentally different.

2. How do the visual effects of SR and GR differ?

The visual effects of SR and GR differ in several ways. In SR, objects moving at high speeds experience time dilation, length contraction, and changes in mass. In GR, objects experience changes in motion due to the curvature of space and time caused by massive objects.

3. Can you explain the concept of time dilation in the context of SR and GR?

Time dilation is a phenomenon in which time appears to pass slower for objects that are moving at high speeds or in strong gravitational fields. In SR, time dilation occurs due to the relative motion between two objects, while in GR, it occurs due to the curvature of space and time caused by massive objects.

4. What are some real-world examples of the visual effects of SR and GR?

One of the most well-known examples of the visual effects of SR is the Twin Paradox, in which one twin who travels at high speeds in a spaceship ages slower than the other twin who stays on Earth. As for GR, an example is the bending of light around a massive object such as a star, which is known as gravitational lensing.

5. How do the visual effects of SR and GR impact our understanding of the universe?

The visual effects of SR and GR have significantly impacted our understanding of the universe. These theories have allowed us to explain and predict phenomena such as the orbit of planets, black holes, and the expansion of the universe. They have also led to the development of technologies such as GPS, which relies on the principles of relativity to function accurately.

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