- #1
renmoresnow
- 6
- 0
How do I calculate the redshift of a galaxy that is 650 Mpc away if I am only told its spectral lines should show a redshift z=.15?
renmoresnow said:This is not a homework question...
renmoresnow said:This is a question in an assignment
Vanadium 50 said:Huh?
renmoresnow said:Of course...you are right...what I should have asked was:
Is it true that a galaxy 650 Mpc's away has a redshift of z=.15.
If it is true, how do you know?
renmoresnow said:This is not a homework question... I am a mature student studying Astronomy for the first time. This is a question in an assignment ...
Redshift is the phenomenon where light from a distant object appears to be shifted towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is due to the expansion of the universe, causing the wavelengths of light to stretch as they travel through space.
Redshift is calculated by measuring the difference between the observed wavelength of light from a distant object and the expected, or rest, wavelength of that light. This difference is then divided by the rest wavelength to determine the redshift value.
A megaparsec is a unit of measurement used in astronomy to measure large distances, particularly in the study of cosmology. One megaparsec is equal to 3.26 million light years.
Calculating the redshift of a galaxy allows us to determine its distance from Earth and how fast it is moving away from us. This information can help us understand the expansion rate of the universe and the overall structure and composition of the universe.
The further away a galaxy is, the higher its redshift value will be. This is because the expansion of the universe causes more distant objects to appear to be moving away from us at a faster rate, resulting in a higher redshift value.