Not only is the earth never in the same spot, the solar system it’s never in the same spot either. Even our galaxy is moving.
so would it be accurate to say that if one were to take a frame of reference on a large scale, say, the absolute centre of the universe (I know, but bear with me on this one), it’s also fairly impossible to travel back in space as well as time, seeing as by the time it takes you to take a step back to your original position, the earth has already moved enough that you are no longer there relative to your reference?
I’m not sure “an absolute reference frame” exists. But, in your scenario they’d have to lead the shot so to speak. And jump in behind where they want to be.
Well, I’m glad we got to the bottom of what’s unrealistic about traveling back in time…
Time and space are pretty much linked so if you travel in time you can travel in spacetime :)
Yeah, but to my knowledge, you can only go forwards in time.
What you can do, is go forwards at a slower speed. So, if you sat yourself in a spaceship and accelerated to e.g. 10% of the speed of light, you might get out after what you perceive as a few years and find yourself in the year 2200 (I did not do the math), but you cannot go back from there.
Causal chains always have to follow causality. They can just do so less quickly, because, as far as my current understanding goes, the speed of light is actually the speed of causality.
(Sorry to bonk you with so much physics. I know that initial statement could have also come from someone who’s never heard of the theory of relativity…)
You just need to reverse entropy haha
I don’t remember the name of the novel, so somebody help me with this. The concept is basically that scientists invent time travel, but use it as a teleportation device instead. Set the machine by a few seconds, you teleport the distance covered by the Earth during that time. They even use the technique to plan for an assasination of Kim Jong Un. Loved that one. Some innovative sequences using the ‘time machine’.
Edit: Found it. It’s actually two books (original and sequel).
Split Second - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26216031-split-second
and
Time Frame - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37946554-time-frame
The first book takes its time revealing the ‘time travel’, but the second book dives head first into using the technology proficiently.
Weak premise considering the principles of relativity, and how our current understanding of time travel is basically rooted in SPACE-time.
deleted by creator
Well, I am traveling forward in time in home made Time Machine with the speed of one second per second. I do not see any problem you are describing. Now I just need to add the reverse, but I do not expect any issues of this kind either.
Suppose you get the location right too, I assume the difference in momentum will… not be forgiving.
deleted by creator
I read that ages ago. Back in high school, in fact (I’m 46). I don’t remember it except the chapter where time is a flock of birds that you have to try to catch to stay youthful. The children can catch them but always let them go and the adults can never catch them.
deleted by creator
I remember it was in the new books section of the school library and I was attracted to it immediately and spent the day reading it instead of paying attention in my classes. I need to read it again. Thanks for bringing it up!