A spaceship visits Alpha Centauri and returns to Earth. Alpha Centauri is 4.5 light-years from Earth (our second closest star). The spaceship travels at one-half the speed of light for essentially all of its expedition.
(a) How long was the ship gone according to an observer on the Earth?
(b) How long was the ship gone according to an observer on the spaceship?

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The Answer of A spaceship visits Alpha Centauri and returns to Earth. Alpha Centauri is 4.5 light-years from Earth (our second closest star). The spaceship travels at one-half the speed of light for essentially all of its expedition.
(a) How long was the ship gone according to an observer on the Earth?
(b) How long was the ship gone according to an observer on the spaceship?

A Spaceship Visits Alpha Centauri and Returns to Earth