Would you consider the speed of light to be an absolute velocity?
Contrary to popular understanding, the Theory of Relativity is
somewhat a misnomer. Physics before Einstein considered all velocity
relative in a simple additive manner (like you suggest). Special
Relativity should more properly be called "irrelativity" or "partial
relativity" because velocities are only relative when they are small
compared to C. Near C, they are approximately absolute.

Sean


On Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 9:54 AM, Olin Lathrop<olin_piclist@embedinc.com> wr=
ote:
> There is no such thing as absolute velocity. =A0Velocity is always relati=
ve to
> something else, usually a local inertial observer. =A0Here on earth we te=
nd to
> measure velocity relative to the local part of the planet's surface. =A0T=
hat
> of course has a rather "interesting" velocity relative to the sun, which
> itself has some velocity relative to the center of the galaxy, which has a
> velocity relative to the local group, etc.
>

-- =

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