Could something be seen going the speed of light?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether an object traveling at the speed of light could be seen if it interacted with light rays. While light itself travels at light speed and is visible, detecting a massless particle or an object moving at light speed requires different methods. It is suggested that using matter to detect such objects is more effective, as collisions with matter can produce visible light. The conversation clarifies that direct observation of something moving at light speed isn't feasible, but indirect detection through interactions with matter is possible. Ultimately, the ability to see such an object relies on its interaction with other particles rather than observing it directly.
|Orion's Thought|
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Could something be seen going the speed of light? Shouldnt we be able to see it if the "light rays" reflected off of it (assuming it is not on a vector away from the sun, and not parallel to the beams of light being emmited from the sun)?
 
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|Orion's Thought| said:
Could something be seen going the speed of light?

Sure, light goes at the speed of light and we see it all the time. :smile:


Shouldnt we be able to see it if the "light rays" reflected off of it (assuming it is not on a vector away from the sun, and not parallel to the beams of light being emmited from the sun)?

Depends on the kind of massless particle. Light can reflect other light, but only very weakly. You're better off using matter to "see" it.
 
Sure, light goes at the speed of light and we see it all the time.

Good point! I think I didnt word the second part of my question very well, I meant that you would be able to see something such as an asteroid going the speed of light as long as it ran into light rays.
 
|Orion's Thought| said:
Good point! I think I didnt word the second part of my question very well, I meant that you would be able to see something such as an asteroid going the speed of light as long as it ran into light rays.

I know what you meant, but what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to use light to detect something moving at light speed. You can have it run into matter, which will then emit light that you can see with your eyes (or some other instrument).
 
OOOH! I see. Thanks!:smile:
 

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