Relativistic aberration of light as a corollary of relativity of simultaneity
Journal
European Journal of Physics
Date Issued
2004-09-02
Author(s)
DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/27/4/002
Abstract
A new derivation of the relativistic aberration formula for a plane-polarized
light wave is presented that does not require any use of the Lorentz
transformation. The method is based on a modification of the Huygens-Fresnel
principle to include the relativistic effects introduced by the relative motion
between the observer and the emitter. The derivation clearly shows that the
aberration formula is a direct consequence of the relative simultaneity.
light wave is presented that does not require any use of the Lorentz
transformation. The method is based on a modification of the Huygens-Fresnel
principle to include the relativistic effects introduced by the relative motion
between the observer and the emitter. The derivation clearly shows that the
aberration formula is a direct consequence of the relative simultaneity.