Quote:
narf poit chez BOOM said:
Ah, well, thanks. That answers my question and brings up a different interesting thought - That, using the speed of light, it should be possible to calculate an absolute frame of reference.
Anybody done that yet?
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The whole point of relativity is that an absolute frame of reference simply does not exist. No matter what frame of reference you use, light travels at c in that frame of reference. If you measure the speed of a planet as 300 km/s and then measure the speed of light relative to that planet in the same direction of movement, you will get c - 300 km/s. In the opposite direction you will get c + 300 km/s. If you then change your reference frame by landing on the planet so you are moving along with it and the planet is at rest from your perspective, repeating your measurements would tell you that light is moving at c relative to the planet in all directions.