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Question
QUESTION: what is the relationship of time and gravity?what is the reality of time dilation in space?
ANSWER: 1. The stronger the gravitational field, the slower time passes.
2. Yes, it really happens, but it's not very noticeable until you get up to where it doubles, up around 80-85% light speed. It's an exponential function.
Clear Skies,
Tom
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: is there any point in space where time completely stops?
It doesn't stop... it becomes infinitely dilated, so one second takes an infinite amount of Earth (normal) time, to pass. Although I guess from a practical standpoint, at that moment, t = 0.
I've heard at the outer edge of the event horizon of a massive black hole. (The instant as you you fall into the black hole). Black holes have only 3 physical characteristics... mass, charge, and spin. (No color, no shape, no time). And the charge is thought to even out, so the charge is zero. That only leaves mass and spin.
Here's an interesting thought... people experiencing a near-death event report sometimes that their entire lives flash before their eyes. So is death simply time becoming zero for us? In which case, you are only dead one second (in your reference frame) before the final Judgment day? Something to think about.
Clear Skies,
Tom
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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