Expert: James Gort - 5/27/2007

Question
The Science says that if you travel to the nearest stars at the the speed of light time will seem normal to you but when you return it will be many years later. If the distance traveled is shorter will the time one earth that has past be a smaller increment.

Answer
Hi Chris,

Yes, if the distance is shorter, less time will have elapsed.  If you travelled to a star 10 light-years away (and you went at the speed of light), 20 years will have passed on earth when you return, but no time will have passed for you (the traveller).  If you travelled to a star 5 light-years away, only 10 years will have passed at your return, but, again, no time will have passed for you.

Hope that helps.

Prof. James Gort