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Motion relative to the CMB rest frame creates a dipole moment in the wavelength of CMB photons in the direction of motion. Observations suggest that the Earth has a motion relative to CMB rest frame of 600 km/s.
As indicated in this study, for a spacecraft at a speed we shall dub 'ludicrous speed', the drag from the CMB photons would become very significant, as they would be blueshifted to the point where pair production occurs. This effect also theoretically limits the energy of observed cosmic rays, or at least the distance that such cosmic rays can travel. Even before this point though, momentum will be transferred to the spacecraft , producing drag.
My question is this: Does this drag exist even at the low peculiar velocity of Earth? I imagine it is a vanishingly small force, but it does have an awful long time to act. How would one calculate the force imparted at our peculiar velocity?
As indicated in this study, for a spacecraft at a speed we shall dub 'ludicrous speed', the drag from the CMB photons would become very significant, as they would be blueshifted to the point where pair production occurs. This effect also theoretically limits the energy of observed cosmic rays, or at least the distance that such cosmic rays can travel. Even before this point though, momentum will be transferred to the spacecraft , producing drag.
My question is this: Does this drag exist even at the low peculiar velocity of Earth? I imagine it is a vanishingly small force, but it does have an awful long time to act. How would one calculate the force imparted at our peculiar velocity?