How Does Relativity Affect the Perception of Time Between Supernovae?

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The discussion explores how relativity affects the perception of time between two supernovae observed by aliens. When Alpha goes supernova, followed by Beta ten years later, the aliens perceive the explosions as occurring 120 light years apart. Initial calculations using Lorentz Transformations suggested a time difference of -24 years, indicating a misunderstanding of the reference frame. The user later realizes that applying the spacetime interval provides the correct approach to understanding the time perception. This highlights the complexities of time perception in relativistic contexts.
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1. The star Alpha goes supernova. Then ten years later and 100 light years away, star beta goes supernova. Aliens passing by observes that the explosions occur 120 light years away. According to them, what is the time between the explosions?


2. So I think I am supposed to used the Lorentz Transformations.
x'=\gamma(x-vt) and x=\gamma(x'+vt')
Then I solved for v in both equations since we do not know the speed at which the aliens are traveling at. I equate them together to get t'
\gammat'=[\gammat(x-\gammax')]/(\gammax-x')
I solved for it and got -24 years..
So does it mean that it took 24 years inbetween explosions according to the aliens reference frame?

Thank You

DoubleMint
 
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Nvm I've got it! I had to use the spacetime interval..obviously XD
 

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