Relativistic twins or sextuplets?

Published 10 December 2002 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
, , Citation Eric Sheldon 2003 Eur. J. Phys. 24 91 DOI 10.1088/0143-0807/24/1/310

0143-0807/24/1/91

Abstract

A recent study of the relativistic twin 'paradox' by Soni in this journal affirmed that 'A simple solution of the twin paradox also shows anomalous behaviour of rigidly connected distant clocks' but entailed a pedagogic hurdle which the present treatment aims to surmount. Two scenarios are presented: the first 'flight-plan' is akin to that depicted by Soni, with constant-velocity segments, while the second portrays an alternative mission undertaken with sustained acceleration and deceleration, illustrated quantitatively for a two-way spacecraft flight from Earth to Polaris (465.9 light years distant) and back.

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