Is this correct?"Calculating Time of Astronaut's Trip Across 15 Light-Years

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In summary, the conversation discusses a hypothetical scenario where an astronaut travels from Earth to a star 15 light-years away at a speed of 0.999c and spends 10 years on one of the star's planets before returning to Earth at the same speed. The question is then posed regarding the amount of time that has passed for the astronaut as measured by someone on Earth and by the astronaut herself. The conversation also touches on the concept of relative speed and reference frames in determining the time measurements.
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sexy_brittany
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Homework Statement


An astronaut travels from the Earth at a speed of 0.999c to a star that us 15 light-years away (as measured by someone from earth). she spends 10 years on one of the star's planets (as measured by someone on that planet) and then returns to Earth at 0.999c. How long has she been away (1) as measured by someone on the Earth and (2) as measured by her?

Homework Equations



Δt = γ Δt'

The Attempt at a Solution



I am trying to measure the time it took for her to go to the planet and come back by
Δt = γ(1+(1/2)* β^2 )
and then the time she spent on the planet counted by someone on the Earth by
Δt = γ Δt'
where ...Δt' = 10 yr ...is this right
and add all the values ...

For the B part I calculated the distance for her in the ship
by L = Lp √ 1- β*β
and based on this new distance did the same calculation as part A ...
 
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sexy_brittany said:

Homework Statement


An astronaut travels from the Earth at a speed of 0.999c to a star that us 15 light-years away (as measured by someone from earth). she spends 10 years on one of the star's planets (as measured by someone on that planet) and then returns to Earth at 0.999c. How long has she been away (1) as measured by someone on the Earth and (2) as measured by her?
Depends on the relative speed of the planet doesn't it. Can you assume the Earth and Exoplaten clocks share a reference frame?

I am trying to measure the time it took for her to go to the planet and come back by
Δt = γ(1+(1/2)* β^2 )
and then the time she spent on the planet counted by someone on the Earth by
Δt = γ Δt'
where ...Δt' = 10 yr ...is this right
and add all the values ...
In her reference frame, the Earth and the planet are moving at 0.999c, and their distance is contracted.

You should draw the space-time diagrams for each reference frame to compare them.
http://www.physicsguy.com/ftl/html/FTL_part2.html#sec:twin
 

1. How long would it take an astronaut to travel 15 light-years?

The time it takes for an astronaut to travel 15 light-years would depend on their speed. If they were traveling at the speed of light (299,792,458 meters per second), it would take them approximately 15 years to reach their destination. However, this is not currently possible with our current technology.

2. Can an astronaut travel at the speed of light?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, it is not possible for any object with mass to travel at the speed of light. As an astronaut has mass, they would not be able to travel at the speed of light. However, scientists are constantly researching and developing new technologies that may one day make this possible.

3. How is the time of the trip calculated?

The time of the trip is calculated using the speed of light and the distance of 15 light-years. This can be done using the equation: time (in years) = distance (in light-years) / speed of light (in light-years per year).

4. How long is a light-year?

A light-year is a unit of measurement used to describe astronomical distances. It is the distance that light can travel in one year, which is approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers or 5.88 trillion miles.

5. Can an astronaut travel faster than the speed of light?

No, it is not possible for an astronaut to travel faster than the speed of light. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, an object with mass would require an infinite amount of energy to travel at the speed of light. As this is not possible, it is also not possible for an object to travel faster than the speed of light.

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