Abstract

Special relativity theory (SRT) was born on the basis of a gedanken experiment involving the relative simultaneity of distant events as perceived by observers with different inertial velocities. It is this assumed aspect of special relativity that is most troubling to our intuition, accustomed as we are to living in a world of absolute, not relative, simultaneity. Regardless of the adequacy of special relativity to accurately model the true nature of space and time, the theory at least presents a mathematical equivalence to most problems to which it is applied. Such tests include Doppler effects, clock retardation and apparent mass increase with velocity. As such, further tests of these effects to even greater precision are not likely to produce any new insights into the validity of SRT. Surprisingly, however, no actual test of the most troubling aspect of SRTrelative simultaneity -has ever been performed. Yet such a test is feasible with the current technology If such a test supports SRT, then almost all competing theories must fall by the wayside. A negative result, however, would clearly invalidate SRT. This paper presents the details of such a test.