Which of the following describes a major danger of interstellar travel at near light speed?
A)Any interstellar journey will take much longer than the lives of the crew members.
B)Time dilation will slow the heartbeats of the crew to a dangerously low rate.
C)Atoms and ions in interstellar space will hit a fast-moving spacecraft like a flood of dangerous cosmic rays.
D)Asteroid fields floating in interstellar space will present a navigational challenge.
E)Supernova explosions will destroy spaceships passing nearby.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At near light speed, the fast-moving spacecraft will collide with atoms and ions in interstellar space, which will have a devastating impact. The collision will cause a shower of cosmic rays, cosmic radiation, and high-energy particles that will damage the spacecraft and the crew with ionizing radiation. Shielding against such rays is incredibly challenging and may even be impractical, leading to significant health risks and potentially lethal doses of radiation.

Answer: A
 Even with the relativistic effects of time dilation, interstellar travel at near light speed will take many years or even centuries in relative time. For the crew members, this will translate into a journey that takes much longer than their natural lifespan. This issue will require solutions for crew health and well-being during the trip, as well as the development of sustainable ecosystems to maintain the spacecraft's critical functions until the destination is reached.

Which of the Following Describes a Major Danger of Interstellar