superluminal
1
9.9
- adjective
- /ˌsuːpərˈluːmɪnəl/
- Specialized
:
superluminal
- Some researchers believe that superluminal speeds could be achieved through advanced technology in the future.
- superluminal motion
- superluminal velocities
Though I do think you can probably get superluminal.
- Though I do think you can probably get superluminal.
Examples
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Such superluminal motion had been observed before only in remote quasars and active galactic nuclei, and it was surprising to find it in our own backyard.
Academic text (1995) -
Low energy neutrinos move with slightly superluminal speed.
Blog text (2) -
Does an active galactic nucleus have superluminal jets?
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Finding superluminal velocities further supports the massive black hole model, since few other objects could accelerate material to such speeds.
Academic text (1994) -
Even though the clouds appear to move at superluminal speeds, their measured motion in the sky was extremely small, due to the large distance of M87.
Academic text (1994) -
Superluminal motion in M87's jet is further evidence for the existence of a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core.
Academic text (1994) -
The theory suggests that superluminal travel could enable us to explore distant galaxies in no time.
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Scientists are investigating the possibility of creating a superluminal communication system to send messages instantly.
Surface Forms
Morphology
superluminal = luminal (transparent) = super + lumin + al
A productive prefix 'super-' (above/beyond) attached to a base relating to light yields the straightforward meaning 'faster than light'.
Etymology
Superluminal comes from super- ('above' or 'beyond') and luminal from the Latin word 'lumen' ('light'), the same root you see in luminous. So superluminal means 'beyond the light' and is used for things that go faster than the speed of light.