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Time Dilation and How It Affects Us

December 6, 2021

Time Dilation and How It Affects Us

Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from Kennedy Space Center as onlookers watch July 26, 2005, in Titusville, Florida. The shuttle crewmembers would have experienced time dilation and perceived the trip as taking less time than those on the ground. (Image credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Time dilation, the theory that time passes differently for different observers, affects many aspects of our lives that we don’t realize. Distinguished Professor of Astronomy Richard Pogge says GPS satellites must account for time dilation or else it would be extremely difficult to pinpoint a specific address.

Read more about time dilation and Distinguished Professor Richard Pogge's contributions here.