Hmm... This will require some thinking/processing... I appreciate your detailed response, ZikZak. I do find it distressing that most texts don't do enough to explain the issue of simultaneity with examples such as this. Perhaps some textbook writers don't fully understand what they are writing...
I will not lie that I do not fully understand George's reply. Sorry. However, it seems JesseM's comment along with George's is starting to help unravel the problem. The original problem is that they both started at the same time (event 1) at different locations (separated by a distance d in the...
Yes, I am aware of the issue of simultaneity. That does not appear to be the issue here. I am NOT trying or expecting to see the events at the same time in both frames. The fact is the rockets WILL/MUST collide at some point (but the time will not be measured as the same from the different...
In trying to come up with an example in S.R., I came up with the following: 2 rockets, a distance d apart as measured in the Earth frame, each have a speed of 0.8c and are on a head on collision with the other. What is the time to impact as measured in the Earth frame and on one of the rockets...