What the Global Positioning System Tells Us about the Twin's Paradox
| Scientific Paper | |
|---|---|
| Title | What the Global Positioning System Tells Us about the Twin's Paradox |
| Read in full | Link to paper |
| Author(s) | Tom Van Flandern |
| Keywords | GPS, atomic clocks, twin paradox |
| Published | 2003 |
| Journal | Apeiron |
| Volume | 10 |
| Number | 1 |
| No. of pages | 6 |
| Pages | 18 |
Read the full paper here
Abstract
In the GPS, all atomic clocks in all reference frames (in orbit and on the ground) are set once and stay synchronized. We can use this same trick to place a GPS-type clock aboard the spacecraft of a traveling twin. That clock will stay synchronized with Earth clocks, allowing a clear resolution of the twin's paradox in special relativity ?why the traveller expects to come back younger, and why the stay-at-home twin is not entitled to the same expectation."