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According to our current understanding of physics, as described by Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, it is not possible for an object with mass to reach or exceed the speed of light in a vacuum. The speed of light in a vacuum, denoted by the symbol "c," is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.

As an object with mass approaches the speed of light, its relativistic mass increases, and more and more energy is required to accelerate it further. The closer the object gets to the speed of light, the more energy is needed, and it becomes progressively more difficult to increase its velocity.

According to special relativity, as an object approaches the speed of light, its relativistic mass increases, and its length contracts in the direction of motion. Time also dilates for the moving object relative to a stationary observer. These effects become significant as the velocity approaches the speed of light, making it impossible for an object with mass to reach or exceed this limit.

However, it's important to note that the limitation applies to objects with mass. According to current theories, massless particles such as photons, which are particles of light, travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. They do not experience the same constraints as objects with mass.

In summary, based on our current understanding, objects with mass cannot reach or exceed the speed of light in a vacuum. The speed of light, approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, is considered the ultimate cosmic speed limit.

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