Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 36 - Relativity - Exercises and Problems - Page 1098: 15

Answer

Yes.

Work Step by Step

Assuming that the two stars (A and B) are stationary in space and the distance between them is constant, we can call their frame S. And your frame is S' which is your rocketcraft. You are moving toward star B at a speed of $0.9c$, and moving away from star A at the same speed. So we can say that star B is traveling toward you at a speed of $0.9c$ while star A is moving away from you at the same speed, and hence you are at rest in your frame. At the point in the middle between the two stars, they explode simultaneously in your reference frame. You know that the explosion light from the two stars travels toward you at the speed of light $c$, and since the speed of light in your frame is independent of stars' motion. So, the explosion light from both stars will reach you simultaneously
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