Cosmological Redshift distance to where it begins?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of cosmological redshift and its implications for the distance at which it becomes significant in relation to the motion of galaxies. Participants explore the relationship between cosmic expansion and gravitational binding, particularly focusing on distances measured in light years and megaparsecs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the closest star whose light is affected by cosmological redshift and the distance at which this redshift becomes prevalent.
  • Another participant suggests that typical velocities of galaxies relative to the cosmic microwave background are around 400 km/s, leading to a distance of approximately 18 million light years, beyond which cosmological redshift dominates over random motion.
  • A follow-up question asks if there is cosmic expansion within the 18 million light year radius, indicating that it may not be significant compared to normal orbital velocities.
  • Further clarification is provided that while 18 million light years is equivalent to about 6 megaparsecs, the velocity of galaxies varies significantly.
  • One participant reiterates that the force driving cosmic expansion is present everywhere, including within galaxies, but its effects are negligible compared to gravitational forces.
  • Another participant states that dark energy does not cause galaxies to expand as they are gravitationally bound, and any measurable effects on orbits are currently negligible due to limitations in precision.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of cosmological redshift relative to gravitational binding and the effects of dark energy, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the velocities of galaxies can vary widely and that the effects of cosmic expansion may not be measurable within gravitationally bound systems, highlighting the complexity of the topic.

rmpearlman
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
what is thought to be the closest star whose light visible to us now is/has cosmological redshift?
perhaps the same answer but in case not:
at what LY distance does the prevalent cosmological redshift of distant starlight begin?
TY, r
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Typical velocities of galaxies relative to the cosmic microwave background are 400 km/s, dividing that by the Hubble constant gives a typical length of 18 million light years, after that distance cosmological redshift is more important than random motion.
The largest gravitationally bound structures are larger than this. Not every galaxy further apart has follow the Hubble flow nicely.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rmpearlman
TY,
so there would be some cosmic expansion w/in the 18 M LY radius but it is not yet material relative to the normal orbital velocities till that?
 
Here is an example, 18 Mly = 6 Mpc.
The 400 km/s are a typical value, but it differs a lot between different galaxies.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rmpearlman
mfb said:
Typical velocities of galaxies relative to the cosmic microwave background are 400 km/s, dividing that by the Hubble constant gives a typical length of 18 million light years, after that distance cosmological redshift is more important than random motion.
The largest gravitationally bound structures are larger than this. Not every galaxy further apart has follow the Hubble flow nicely.
But the force that drives expansion is occurring everywhere, even within galaxies between stars? Just that it's not measurable / important considering the force of gravity?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rmpearlman
While there is dark energy, it doesn't lead to an expansion of the galaxies, as they are gravitationally bound. If we could measure the orbits and all masses with infinite precision we could see the effect on the orbits, but in reality we cannot, it is completely negligible within galaxies.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rmpearlman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
7K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K