TheAlgorithms/Python · error · ValueError
Cannot go beyond speed of light
Error message
Cannot go beyond speed of light
What it means
Error "Cannot go beyond speed of light" thrown in TheAlgorithms/Python.
Source
Thrown at physics/basic_orbital_capture.py:57
Traceback (most recent call last):
...
ValueError: Mass cannot be less than 0
>>> capture_radii(6.957e8, 1.99e30, c+1)
Traceback (most recent call last):
...
ValueError: Cannot go beyond speed of light
Returned SI units:
------------------
meters | m
"""
if target_body_mass < 0:
raise ValueError("Mass cannot be less than 0")
if target_body_radius < 0:
raise ValueError("Radius cannot be less than 0")
if projectile_velocity > c:
raise ValueError("Cannot go beyond speed of light")
escape_velocity_squared = (2 * G * target_body_mass) / target_body_radius
capture_radius = target_body_radius * sqrt(
1 + escape_velocity_squared / pow(projectile_velocity, 2)
)
return round(capture_radius, 0)
def capture_area(capture_radius: float) -> float:
"""
Input Param:
------------
capture_radius: The radius of orbital capture and impact for a central body of
mass M and a projectile moving towards it with velocity v
SI units: meters | m
Returns:
--------
>>> capture_area(17209590691)View on GitHub (pinned to f5988cc097)
Solutions
- Pass a velocity below the speed of light (299792458 m/s).
When it happens
Trigger: Thrown at physics/basic_orbital_capture.py:57 when the library encounters an invalid state.
Common situations: See trigger scenarios.
AI-assisted analysis of TheAlgorithms/Python@f5988cc097 (2026-08-14).
Data as JSON: /api/errors/5d555c3b07ba2a12.
Report an issue: GitHub.