Relativity
Length Contraction
The relativistic shortening of an object along its direction of motion as seen by an observer it moves past, becoming dramatic near the speed of light. It is the companion of time dilation, and it explains how short-lived muons created high in the atmosphere by cosmic rays still reach the ground.
Highlights
- ›Fast-moving objects shrink along their motion
Related physics & astronomy
Across fundamental physics
Knowledge connections
- Associated withTime Dilation
- Associated withSpecial Relativity
- Associated withTime Dilation
- Associated withCosmic Rays
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.