alt=A red sphere showing the rotation effect and distortion predicted by Terrell.|thumb|Experimental visualization of the Terrell effect using [[femtosecond pulse shaping and a gated intensified camera.]]
Terrell rotation or the Terrell effect is the visual distortion that a passing object would appear to undergo, according to the special theory of relativity, if it were travelling at a significant fraction of the speed of light. This behaviour was first discussed by Austrian physicist in 1924, and further developed independently by both Roger Penrose and James Terrell in 1959. Due to an early dispute about priority and correct attribution, the effect is also sometimes referred to as the Penrose–Terrell effect, the Terrell–Penrose effect or the Lampa–Terrell–Penrose effect.
History
In 1924, a paper by Anton Lampa discussed the effect for the first time for a moving rod, but this result was overlooked until its rediscovery by Penrose and Terrell. Roger Penrose's article on the effect was submitted 29 July 1958 and published in January 1959. They used coordinated laser pulses and cameras to reduce the apparent speed of light to 2 m/s, making the effect visible.
See also
- Length contraction
- Stellar aberration
References and further reading
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External links
- A webpage explaining the Penrose-Terrell Effect
- Extensive explanations and visualizations of the appearance of moving objects
- Interactive simulation of the Penrose-Terrell Effect