Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ncr-tp.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!ncr-tp!laman From: laman@ncr-tp.UUCP (Mike Laman) Newsgroups: net.startrek Subject: A new topic to ponder (I PROMISE!)... Message-ID: <255@ncr-tp.UUCP> Date: Mon, 5-Aug-85 22:33:02 EDT Article-I.D.: ncr-tp.255 Posted: Mon Aug 5 22:33:02 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 7-Aug-85 04:22:02 EDT Distribution: net Organization: NCR Corporation, Torrey Pines Lines: 27 We have all heard the comments about "hearing" the Enterprise whoosh by. As a matter of fact those same comments are currently being reiterated. Well, I'll start a new topic. Now after the Enterprise zips by, we see it fading off into the distance. There is no problem finding shows where the Enterprise flys by a speeds faster than the speed of light. I propose that when the Enterprise zips by faster than the speed of light, the we should NOT be able to see it from behind since the light "particles" coming from behind it would not be able to catch up to it, bounce off, and come back for use to "see" them. I feel that the particles shouldn't be able to reflect off of the back of the Enterprise (since they aren't fast enough to "touch" it), so we shouldn't be able to see it. I would think we would see a faint outline on places where the light would reflect. (Please no comments about how unintersting it would be to see the Enterprise coming towards us one second, then a picture of (nearly) "invisible" Enterprise flying away from us.) I am NOT a physics expert, so be merciful and polite. I'm just bring up something that I hope others will find interesting to discuss. I don't have the guts to include net.physics. We probably should, but I'm sure the topic will slowly get off the subject and aggravate the net.phyics readers. Mike Laman UUCP: {ucbvax,philabs,sdcsla}!sdcsvax!ncr-sd!laman