Is Constant Rest Possible in Outer Space?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MathematicalPhysicist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Space
AI Thread Summary
In outer space, if gravitational forces are negligible, one might wonder about the concept of being at "constant rest." However, the idea of "absolute rest" does not exist, as all objects are in motion relative to others. Even in deep space, an object would still have a velocity relative to other celestial bodies, which could range from zero to nearly the speed of light. Therefore, true constant rest is unattainable in the universe. The discussion highlights the complexities of motion and rest in the context of relativity.
MathematicalPhysicist
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,662
Reaction score
372
It just got me thinking, if I were to be in outer space, and assuming there's no gravitational pull from some other mass, or it's negligble, then to what would I fall, and I don't see how I can move cause I wouldn't have any leverage.

Wouldn't I be at constant rest?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
MathematicalPhysicist said:
It just got me thinking, if I were to be in outer space, and assuming there's no gravitational pull from some other mass, or it's negligble, then to what would I fall, and I don't see how I can move cause I wouldn't have any leverage.

Wouldn't I be at constant rest?

I would say yes.
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
It just got me thinking, if I were to be in outer space, and assuming there's no gravitational pull from some other mass, or it's negligble, then to what would I fall, and I don't see how I can move cause I wouldn't have any leverage.

Wouldn't I be at constant rest?

Well, you have the right idea, except that "constant rest" implies absolute velocity (of zero in this case) which does not exist.

That is, there is no such thing as "absolute rest" which I interpret to be what you have to mean when you say "constant rest".

No matter where you are in the universe, including where you are right now OR if you were in intergalactic space well away from all gravitational bodies so that their attraction on you is negligible, you would STILL be traveling a speed N relative to other bodies, and "N" can be anything from zero up to almost the speed of light.
 
Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
Today at about 4:30 am I saw the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, where they were about the width of the full moon, or one half degree apart. Did anyone else see it? Edit: The moon is 2,200 miles in diameter and at a distance of 240,000 miles. Thereby it subtends an angle in radians of 2,200/240,000=.01 (approximately). With pi radians being 180 degrees, one radian is 57.3 degrees, so that .01 radians is about .50 degrees (angle subtended by the moon). (.57 to be more exact, but with...
TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
Back
Top