Relativistic Length Contraction of Spacecraft · CAP 2008 #Q19
Physics
Problem
A spacecraft built in the shape of a sphere moves past an observer on the Earth with a speed of 0.5c. Approximately what shape does the observer measure for the spacecraft as it goes by?
(a) A sphere.
(b) A cigar shape, elongated along the direction of motion.
(c) A round "pillow" shape, flattened along the direction of motion.
(d) A conical shape, pointing in the direction of motion.