Page:Benton 1959 The Clock Problem (Clock Paradox) in Relativity.djvu/48

 Discusses the application of satellite observations to magnetic measurement on three different time scales.

Comments on the Dingle-McCrea interchange on the subject of relativity and space flight and suggests an experimental approach involving long accumulation times.

Mentions possible aid in revealing nature of relativistic earthbound clock.

The twin paradox from the special theory of relativity is discussed. Special attention is given to a presentation of the application of close orbit earth satellites, with the aid of atomic clocks, to perform an experimental test of relativity. The author discusses the long-standing controversy of the twin paradox and states conclusively that a time advantage will exist for the traveler on extended space voyage.

Refers to the "long-standing dispute about the behavior of time in the theory of relativity" which "appears to have been settled."

The question is: Would space travelers moving at close to the speed of light age more slowly than people on the earth? According to F.S. Crawford of the University of California, "the answer is definitely 'yes' at least if the travelers are mu-mesons. (See Item 45).

"Comparisons of the intensity of mu-mesons on mountaintops and at sea level show that their half-life in flight is about 30 millionths of a second against only two millionths of a second at rest. The difference seems to be evidence for a relativistic fountain of youth."

Although it is usually assumed that space-time is continuum, it is pointed out that this assumption is not required by Lorentz invariance.