Photography at relativistic speeds

Johannes Courtial; Norman Gray; Ruaridh O'Donnell; Ross MacSporran; Stephen Oxburgh; Martin Hendry; Euan N. Cowie

doi:10.1117/12.2237850

27 September 2016 Photography at relativistic speeds

Johannes Courtial, Norman Gray, Ruaridh O'Donnell, Ross MacSporran, Stephen Oxburgh, Martin Hendry, Euan N. Cowie

Proceedings Volume 9948, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XIX; 994808 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237850
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In a photo taken with a camera moving at relativistic speed, the world appears distorted. That much has long been clear, but the details of the distortion were slow to emerge correctly. We recently added relativistic raytracing capability to our custom raytracer, Dr TIM, resulting in unique combinations of capabilities. Here we discuss a few observations. In particular, photos can be sharp only if the shutter is placed correctly. A hypothetical window that changes light-ray direction like a change of inertial frame, when combined with suitable shutter placement, can correct for all relativistic-aberration effects.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Johannes Courtial, Norman Gray, Ruaridh O'Donnell, Ross MacSporran, Stephen Oxburgh, Martin Hendry, and Euan N. Cowie "Photography at relativistic speeds", Proc. SPIE 9948, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XIX, 994808 (27 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237850

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