Speed light travels on earth and in our solar system

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of a universal speed maximum and its implications on the velocity of light from different sources. Two hypotheses are proposed - one where light moves with its originator's velocity and one where it is warped by the doppler effect. It is suggested that the second hypothesis is closer to the truth and that all observers measure the same velocity of light, regardless of the source's velocity. However, it is uncertain whether these hypotheses affect the measurement of distances between stars.
  • #1
Hat_Man
16
0
We know the speed light travels on Earth and in our solar system, but if there is a universal speed max then one of two things must be true. One, light moves with its origanator's velocity and hence its own velocity to a subjective observer moving with the originator's velocity seems slower then the actual speed max. Say the sun is moving in any given direction at .25 of the max then light from the sun would be traveling at .75 max. Hence light moving from a star traveling at a slower velocity then ours would be faster then 'our' light. If it is faster it could reach us far sooner then we would expect it to and the ojects could be a lot closer, or inversly, a lot farther away if they are moving faster then us.
Two, if light does not move with its origantor's velocity and its origanator is moving at .25 max then it would be warped in the same manner as the doppler effect. This too would alter the calculations of distances between stars.
Since there is no absolute stationary point is it possible to know which of these hpothesis are true?
 
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  • #2
The second one is closer to the truth. All observers measure the same velocity of light, irrespective of the velocity of the source. Light is doppler shifted depending upon the velocity of the source. It is 'redshifted' (wavelength increases) if the source is receeding and is 'blueshifted' (wavelength decreases) if the source is closing.
 
  • #3
Hat_Man said:
We know the speed light travels on Earth and in our solar system, but if there is a universal speed max then one of two things must be true. One, light moves with its origanator's velocity and hence its own velocity to a subjective observer moving with the originator's velocity seems slower then the actual speed max. Say the sun is moving in any given direction at .25 of the max then light from the sun would be traveling at .75 max. Hence light moving from a star traveling at a slower velocity then ours would be faster then 'our' light. If it is faster it could reach us far sooner then we would expect it to and the ojects could be a lot closer, or inversly, a lot farther away if they are moving faster then us.
Two, if light does not move with its origantor's velocity and its origanator is moving at .25 max then it would be warped in the same manner as the doppler effect. This too would alter the calculations of distances between stars.
Since there is no absolute stationary point is it possible to know which of these hpothesis are true?

What makes you think that either alters the measurement of the distance between stars?
 

1. How fast does light travel on Earth?

The speed of light on Earth is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, which is equivalent to about 670,616,629 miles per hour.

2. Does light travel at the same speed in our solar system?

Yes, light travels at the same speed in our solar system as it does on Earth. The speed of light is a constant and does not change based on location.

3. Why is the speed of light considered the fastest possible speed?

The speed of light is considered the fastest possible speed because it is the speed at which all massless particles, such as photons, can travel in a vacuum. This is due to the fundamental laws of physics, specifically Einstein's theory of relativity.

4. Does the speed of light change in different mediums?

Yes, the speed of light can change in different mediums. For example, light travels slower in water or glass than it does in a vacuum. This is due to the interaction between light and the particles in the medium.

5. How does gravity affect the speed of light?

Gravity can affect the path of light, but it does not change the speed of light. However, Einstein's theory of general relativity states that gravity can cause a phenomenon called gravitational lensing, where the path of light is bent by the presence of a massive object.

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