Eight Best Science Fiction Novels on Time Dilation
Guest blogger John Carey
Albert Einstein’s theory of time relativity proposes the concept that time is relative and varies with the observer’s velocity. This phenomenon, known as time dilation, suggests that time passes more slowly for those traveling at speeds approaching the speed of light. Although we haven’t tested this by sending humans on such high-speed space journeys, experiments comparing the elapsed time on atomic clocks—one stationary on Earth and one airborne—support this theory. Moreover, the extended lifespan of unstable particles traveling at near-light speeds provides further evidence of this premise.
Challenges of the Time Dilation Theory for Humanity
The idea of cruising through space at the speed of light—approximately 186,000 miles per second, or 3×10^8 meters per second—is compelling. It could mean reaching distant worlds like Pluto in six hours or Alpha Centauri in four years. These are durations we can understand and manage. However, incorporating Einstein’s theory presents significant challenges for humans traveling in space.
For instance, imagine someone from the 1950s returning to today’s world; they would find it unrecognizable. Telecommunication, transportation, clothing and even payment methods have drastically transformed over the decades. A simple illustration: back in 1950, television was a live, midnight-capped affair. Fast forward to the 2000s, and we’ve transitioned from VHS tapes and DVDs to on-demand streaming. This rapid evolution would be disorienting for a CEO from the 1950s movie industry now finding themselves in the current digital era. Life would be equally confusing for anyone else who had been away for this amount of time!
Considering time-dilation complicates this even more than the above example. A year-long journey at the speed of light would see over 2,000 years elapse back on Earth. Space travelers would return to a planet totally changed, losing all connections to familiar people, places, customs, and even language.
Explorations of Time Dilation in Science Fiction Novels
Time dilation has fascinated science fiction writers since they first began writing of space. Here are some of the best novels covering this theme.
1. To the Stars by L. Ron Hubbard, was initially serialized in Astounding Science Fiction during 1949–1950. The story encapsulates the theme of time as a formidable adversary in space. It was later published in hardcover and international markets as Return to Tomorrow.
Mr. Hubbard expresses the time dilation theme this way:
“Space is deep, Man is small and Time is his relentless enemy.…
“AS MASS APPROACHES INFINITY, TIME APPROACHES ZERO.”
Protagonist Alan Corday is aware of the time dilation problem and grapples with the emotional toll of potentially returning to his significantly aged fiancé after his space voyage.
The author also addresses other issues with time dilation. What if the port you landed in 6 months ago (in your time) is 100 years older and has an unfriendly government? What if the gold you acquired cheaply on some foreign planet is no longer worth anything when you bring it back? And worst of all, every time you land back on Earth, you have fewer and fewer connections to the land and can barely understand the speech of the natives.
2. Time for the Stars by Robert A. Heinlein was published in 1956 and creatively uses telepathic twins—one earthbound, the other traversing the cosmos at light speed—to explore the effects of time dilation. As the Earth-twin ages much more quickly, the affinity the twins once had for each other lessens. Luckily, the space-traveling twin can often connect telepathically to descendants of his twin-brother so that he can continue his communication past the average lifespan of a human.
3. Tau Zero by Poul Anderson was published in 1970 and awarded a Hugo award in 1971. The story involves a crew of 50 seeking to colonize a planet near Beta Virginis—a star almost 36 light-years away in the Constellation Virgo. The ship accelerates for the first half of the journey but encounters a problem in decelerating for the last half of the trip. The crew spends so much time traveling at light speed that by the time they can repair the ship’s problems, the universe is approaching a Big Crunch (where the universe stops expanding and starts contracting.)
4. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman was published in 1974, winning both the Nebula and the Hugo awards. The main character in the story, William Mandella, doesn’t volunteer for the military but is drafted. After training for an elite military unit, he is sent through space and time to fight. The light-speed travel keeps him young while Earth ages considerably. By the time he retires to Earth, he will experience a great deal of future-shock.
5. Hyperion by Dan Simmons was published in 1989 and won a Hugo in 1990. This story depicts a universe where some planets are interconnected by “forecaster portals.” Planets without these portals experience time dilation during space travel.
6. Manifold: Time by Stephen Baxter was published in 1999. With Earth on the cusp of devastation due to population growth, ecological damage, and industrial expansion, one man seeks to solve the problems by exploring and colonizing space. The characters traveling through space at light speed are subject to time dilation and experience different time flows. Sir Arthur C. Clarke said, “If you ever thought you understood time, you’ll be quickly disillusioned when you read Manifold: Time.”
7. House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds, published in 2008. The author writes that humanity will have spread across the Milky Way galaxy six million years in the future. The most potent distinct groups are the interstellar travelers, or Shatterlings (clones of a specific family line), who witness the galaxy evolve over eons due to their prolonged space journeys affected by time dilation.
8. The Clockwork Rocket by Greg Egan was published in 2011. The author explores a unique universe where the speed of light varies, leading to unique relativistic effects, including time dilation. Because of the rules in this world, a ship will leave, and generations will be born and die on the ship in only a few years of the home planet’s time. In this fashion, the vessel can develop the necessary technology for the planet to defend itself against hurtling meteors entering its planetary system with unprecedented speed.
Fascinated By Time?
If you are fascinated by time, time dilation, and relativity, pick up any of these novels and travel along with the heroes and characters as they experience the consequences of bending the rules of the physical universe as we know them.
John Carey paid the bills working as a programmer and IT project manager while he honed his writing skills at night and on the weekends. John has just published his second book, Not Worthy of the Air you Breathe set in the future where nations have taken a cue from the business world and terminate their low performing citizens at the end of each year.
Other articles and resources you may be interested in:
How a World War Can Change the Outlook on Apocalyptic Books
Outer Space: The Defence and Security Sectors’ New Battlefield
The Prime Directive: Ole Doc Methuselah Vs Captain Kirk of Star Trek
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