Time Dilation and Space Debris: Exploring the Mind-Bending Challenges of Interstellar Travel
The concept of special relativity can be mind-bending and often leads to counterintuitive conclusions. A recent visualization highlights just how unintuitive this theory can be. If a spaceship were to continuously accelerate at a mere 1G (the acceleration due to gravity on Earth) for a certain duration, it could potentially reach the center of the Milky Way in under 20 years according to the time experienced by those on board the spaceship. This seems like a feasible feat within a human lifespan. However, during this time, a staggering 27,900 years would have passed on Earth. This means that the travelers would not be able to share their experience with anyone upon their return.