Relativistic Asteroids: prepare to be blown away

Asteroids

Let us know what you think! Email us at your_thoughts@referencegames.com

Instructions

Wait for the applet and sounds to load, then click on the applet area and press

the 'S' key to start. Shoot the asteroids while avoiding collisions with

them. Occasionally a flying saucer will appear and attempt to shoot you down

with guided missles. Destroy it or the missles for more points. You begin

with three ships, a bonus ship is awarded for every 5000 points scored.
Keyboard Controls
Key Description Key Description
S Start Game P Pause Game
Cursor Left Rotate Left Cursor Right Rotate Right
Cursor Up Fire Thrusters Spacebar Fire Cannon
M Toggle Sound D Toggle Graphics Detail
Scoring
Object Points
Large Asteroid 25
Small Asteroid 50
UFO 250
Missle 500

How is this Relativistic? And What does that mean anyway?

We have taken the classic game Asteroids and asked the question, what really happens when the ship speeds up and that speed approaches the speed of light?

As the ship approaches the speed of light, c, we can no longer simply follow the classical Newtownian rules of physics. As we approach c we must now follow Relativistic physics.

Relativistic theory tells us that as we approach the speed of light length is contracted and time is dilated.

Please go to The Physics section of this site to learn more of the physics!