Star Voyage: Interactive Simulation of Relativistic Space Travel

About the Project

Star Voyage is an advanced interactive simulation that allows exploring the fascinating effects of special relativity in interstellar space travel. Based on real astronomical data, this web application demonstrates complex physics concepts in a visual and intuitive way.

Key Features

• Real star map: Uses real astronomical data from nearby stars
• Precise relativistic simulation: Implements special relativity formulas
• Interactive visualization: Responsive canvas with zoom and navigation controls
• Real-time metrics: Track time, distance, and relativistic effects

Relativistic Effects Implemented

Lorentz Factor (γ)

const gamma = 1 / Math.sqrt(1 - v²/c²)

The Lorentz factor γ determines how time and space behave differently for observers in relative motion.

Time Dilation

• Earth time: Time measured by stationary observers
• Proper time: Time measured aboard the spacecraft
• Relationship: Δt₀ = Δt × √(1 - v²/c²)

Relativistic Travel Time

For speeds close to the speed of light, apparent travel time decreases significantly:

Speed (% of c)	Lorentz Factor	Travel Time (proper / distance)
50%	1.15	1.73
90%	2.29	0.48
99%	7.09	0.14
99.9%	22.37	0.045

Visual Effects

• Light aberration: Apparent change in star positions
• Doppler effect: Change in received light frequency
• Relativistic synchronization: Interstellar communication challenges

How to Use

Installation

pnpm install

Development

pnpm dev

Build

pnpm build

Interface

1. Add a ship: Click on a star and configure speed (% of light speed)
2. Control simulation: Use controls to pause/continue time
3. Navigate: Zoom, pan, and click on ships/stars to see details
4. Observe effects: Compare Earth time vs. ship time

Physics Implementation

Natural Units

The project uses light-years per year as a natural unit, simplifying calculations:

• Speed of light = 1 ly/year
• Distance = light-years
• Time = years

Key Formulas

export function shipMetrics(ship, starDistanceLy, simTimeYears) {
  const v = ship.speedFraction; // fraction of light speed
  const elapsedYears = Math.max(0, simTimeYears - ship.startTime);

  // Distance traveled (in light-years)
  const distanceCoveredLy = v * elapsedYears;
  const distanceRemainingLy = starDistanceLy - distanceCoveredLy;

  // Earth time vs. Proper time
  const timeTerraYears = elapsedYears;
  const timeShipYears = timeTerraYears * Math.sqrt(1 - v * v);

  // Estimated remaining time
  const timeRemainingTerraYears = distanceRemainingLy / v;
  const timeRemainingShipYears = timeRemainingTerraYears * Math.sqrt(1 - v * v);

  return {
    distanceCoveredLy,
    timeTerraYears,
    timeShipYears,
    timeRemainingTerraYears,
    timeRemainingShipYears,
    lorentz: 1 / Math.sqrt(1 - v * v)
  };
}

Interesting Destinations

Star	Distance (ly)	Travel Time (99%c)
Proxima Centauri	4.24	0.6 years
Sirius	8.66	1.2 years
Vega	25.05	3.5 years
Betelgeuse	548	77 years
Andromeda Galaxy	2.5M	350,000 years

Technologies

• Svelte 5: Modern reactive framework
• TypeScript: Static typing
• Canvas API: High-performance 2D rendering
• TailwindCSS: Responsive styling
• Vite: Ultra-fast build tool

Educational Objectives

This project was developed to:

1. Demonstrate relativistic concepts in an interactive way
2. Visualize time paradoxes in space travel
3. Explore practical implications of relativistic physics
4. Inspire interest in astronomy and theoretical physics

Contributions

Contributions are welcome! Areas of interest:

• New relativistic effects
• Additional astronomical data
• Interface improvements
• Performance optimizations

License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.

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"The speed of light is the cosmic speed limit, and traveling near it reveals the deepest aspects of our reality." - Albert Einstein

Developed with love to explore the mysteries of the cosmos