Understanding Earth's Time Difference from the Sun: 16-Minute Delay Explained

[Ross B]

if u stand on the sun and look at the earth, the Earth will appear to be 16 minute behind where it actually is as the light eave the sun, 8 minutes to reflect off the Earth and 8 minutes back to your retina, is that correct?

 

[PeterDonis]

is that correct?

No. The only relevant time delay is from when the light leaves Earth to when it reaches you on the Sun. The fact that the light originally came from the Sun and was reflected off the Earth doesn't matter.

(The time delay is also frame-dependent, which is relevant since you posted this in the relativity forum.)

 

[Ross B]

if u have a sun orbited by 2 equidistant Earth's, circular orbits, the Earth's are diametrically opposed to each other. If you are standing on the sun will the 2 Earth's appear 8 minutes behind where they actually are?

 

[PeterDonis]

If you are standing on the sun will the 2 Earth's appear 8 minutes behind where they actually are?

The answer to this should be obvious from the answer to your previous question.

 

[PeterDonis]

@Ross B , a few general notes, since you are new to PF. First, welcome!

Second, you will notice that I have changed the level of this thread to "B". An "I" level indicates a college undergraduate level understanding of the subject matter. It does not appear that you have that.

Third, please take some time to think through your questions before posting. I have deleted a number of posts that are too confused and jumbled to lead to a useful discussion. Also, it would probably be helpful for you to take some time to work through a good introductory textbook on relativity--but even before that, if you don't already have a decent working understanding of classical (pre-relativity) physics, you should work through a good introductory textbook on that.

I have closed this thread as the substantive question you asked has been answered.