Gravitational time dilation, how much?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on gravitational time dilation, specifically comparing the aging of an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) to a person on Earth over a 30-year period. The consensus is that the astronaut will age approximately 0.27 seconds less than the Earth-bound individual due to the effects of both gravitational potential and relative velocity. The discussion highlights the significance of the formula for time dilation in Schwarzschild spacetime, emphasizing that the astronaut's high velocity contributes more to time dilation than the gravitational effects at their altitude. This leads to the conclusion that time moves slower for the astronaut in orbit compared to someone on the Earth's surface.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity and gravitational time dilation
  • Familiarity with the Schwarzschild metric and its implications
  • Knowledge of special relativity and its effects on time perception
  • Basic grasp of GPS technology and its reliance on relativistic corrections
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Schwarzschild metric and its application to time dilation calculations
  • Learn about the effects of velocity on time dilation in special relativity
  • Explore the practical applications of general relativity in GPS technology
  • Investigate the relationship between gravitational potential and time flow
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, aerospace engineers, students of relativity, and anyone interested in the implications of gravitational time dilation in space travel and satellite technology.

  • #31
I think your problem concerns your understanding of the word relativity, and the theory too, by the way. All effects of relativity are noted by the observer from a static frame of reference. So from our perspective, an object traveling at near-light speed has near-infinite mass. But for someone in that object, his observations are from his static frame of reference. He is not infinitely heavy and time moves normally for him as far as he is concerned. He will however, note a measurable difference in the aging rate of those who were observing him from their own static frame of reference when he returns to them. That's relativity. Yes, time progresses slower for fast moving objects. It's a fact.

relativity: A state of dependence in which the significance of one entity is solely dependent on that of another.
 

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