Horizon for Constant Acceleration - Special Relativity

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    Acceleration Horizon
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of event horizons in the context of special relativity, particularly focusing on the implications of constant acceleration for observers. Participants explore the theoretical underpinnings and seek resources for deeper understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Michael references Heintz's assertion that an observer accelerated by a will experience an event horizon at a distance l=c^2/a in the direction opposite to the acceleration.
  • Another participant confirms that special relativity indicates any accelerated observer perceives an event horizon, reiterating the distance formula l=c^2/a.
  • A suggestion is made to consult Wikipedia for additional information on event horizons related to accelerated particles.
  • Michael seeks clarification on whether the discussion pertains to both the horizon and horizon distance or just the horizon distance, indicating a potential misunderstanding or need for specificity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present overlapping views on the existence of an event horizon for accelerated observers, but there is no consensus on the clarity of the definitions or the specific terms being discussed.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing assumptions regarding the definitions of horizon and horizon distance, as well as the context of spacetime coordinates in the referenced material.

heinz
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Special relativity shows that any accelerated observer
sees an event horizon. In fact, if an observer is accelerated
by a, the horizon is at distance l=c^2/a in the direction
opposite to a.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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George,
Heintz says that "if an observer is accelerated by a, the horizon is at distance l=c^2/a in the direction opposite to a."

I am trying to understand this by looking at the picture in the Fermi-Walker section of MTW, and it is not immediately apparent. Where could I look this up?

Many thanks,
Michael
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Michael_1812 said:
George,
Heintz says that "if an observer is accelerated by a, the horizon is at distance l=c^2/a in the direction opposite to a."

I am trying to understand this by looking at the picture in the Fermi-Walker section of MTW, and it is not immediately apparent. Where could I look this up?

Many thanks,
Michael

Do you mean both horizon and horizon distance, or just horizon distance? MTW and I will not have the same spacetime coordinates until tomorrow.
 

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