Hi Hilmar,
You may be right about C being the top speed possible in the universe. I cannot produce any evidence that would contradict that supposition.
As to time seeming to slow down at speeds approaching C, relative to the speed of Earth, it does not seem correct to me. To me, time is time.
It is interesting to note that the person in the spacecraft would have a sense of being at rest, once the spacecraft reached the near C speed and ceased acceleration. Also, the person on earth would have a sense of being a rest, even though he is traveling through space at a considerable, but constant, rate of speed, so there is no effects from acceleration. If both persons had a watch, it seem the watch would continue to tick at a a constant rate. It seems to me like the person in both situation would continue to age at the same rate, as the molecular structures of each person would not be altered.
I don't think the universe is alter because of relative speed difference between object, but who know? To me the universe does not alter, it is our perception of it that alters because of distortions with our sensory perceptions.
We view the universe like a camera that take a picture with a very long exposure, like for several hours. This causes the picture to be cluttered with objects in the same picture that really belong in separate time spaces, so the picture is very messy.
If a camera with a very high speed shutter is used, a much more defined picture can be achieved.
Is it possible that some day Earth may be traveling at the speed of light or beyond? Here is an interesting article:
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/universe_end_011212.htmlRegards,
LelandJ
