Gravity. It's the law.

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New Scientist TV: Seeing Relativity

What would it look like to tour the solar system at near-light speed? In this animation, created by physicist Paul Altin from the Australian National University, you can experience the weird effects predicted by Einstein’s special theory of relativity as you fly by different planets.

The tour starts in an orbit high above the surface of the Earth. As you move further away, oceans turn green and continents look red due to the Doppler effect. Passing by Mars, its surface changes colour dramatically. Then, as you speed up, Jupiter appears smaller than it actually is due to time dilation, since you’re seeing what it looked like in the past, when it was further away. A small window in the lower right of the video shows the planet’s actual appearance for comparison.

Flying towards Saturn, its rings look distorted and, as you reach light speed, everything around you is compressed to a single spot.

For another visualisation of the strange effects of relativity, check out this light-speed rollercoaster ride. Stay tuned for more animations in our Seeing Relativity series.