Although the original scenario is impossible, a thread like this throws up some fascinating thoughts, for me, that is its value.

Originally Posted By: Bill
If Observer A was directly in line with the trajectory of the space ship then she would see a disc that represents the cross section of the spaceship all crushed together.


A few thoughts arise from this.

1. If the ship is travelling at c, observer A would not see the disc until it hit her.

2. If the ship is infinitely length contracted, it has no length. Can it be said to exist?

3. If the ship has a "headlight"; in the RF of the observer, the light and the ship would reach her at the same time. However, in the RF of the astronaut, the light would be leaving the ship at c. Does this mean that the astronaut would see the observer, but she would not see the ship?


There never was nothing.