Question

An astronomer observes two stars explode in simultaneous supernovae. The stars are 200 light years apart. To an observer traveling at 0.5c, the explosions will generally

Group of answer choices

a) occur at different times.

b) still be simultaneous.

c) be farther apart.

d) take twice as long to happen.

Answer 1

Option (a) occur at different times.

Given that the two events (supernova explosions) are simultaneous for an observer who is at rest, ie, the event is only separated in space. For an observer in an inertial frame moving with velocity 0.5c, the two events would be separated both in space and time. So in such a frame the events would occur at different times.

(Remark : if the second observer is moving perpendicular to the line connecting the two explosions then they would be simultaneous for that observer also)

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