Abstract

It is shown that theoretically an apparent shortening of fast receding objects could be observed by extremely accurate methods. This could not be done for approaching objects. These would appear to be stretched rather than shrunk. But neither of these apparent effects occurs in reality. Einstein's own statement is quoted in support of this argument. He said that truth had different meanings in theoretical physics and experimental physics respectively. The STR is of restricted validity, as was indicated by the original name, Restricted Theory of Relativity.