Speed of Light in a Bend

Most recent answer: 10/30/2009

Q:
If light from stars bends as it passes the sun, does the speed of that light change?
- Bob Montgomery
Bullhead City, AZ USA
A:
If you were somewhere near the light, using any sort of standard coordinates, you would find that it went past you at c, even near the sun.

In assigning speeds to remote objects, General Relativity gives you a big choice of coordinate systems, so the speed in your favorite coordinates doesn't have to be c.

Mike W.

(published on 10/30/2009)