Difference Between Redshifts of Massive Galaxies & Accelerating Galaxies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around distinguishing between the redshifts of supermassive galaxies and those of galaxies that are accelerating away from the observer. It explores concepts related to gravitational and cosmological redshift, as well as the implications of distance and intrinsic gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the terminology of "super massive galaxy" and clarify that galaxies are not typically described as accelerating.
  • One participant suggests that the distinction may lie between gravitational redshift caused by a supermassive black hole and cosmological redshift, noting that the former varies across the galaxy while the latter is uniform.
  • Another participant emphasizes that redshift is inferred from the measured wavelength and that the wavelength alone does not provide inherent information about the type of redshift.
  • One participant proposes that if two galaxies exhibit the same amount of redshift, their distances from Earth could be used to infer differences in intrinsic gravitational attraction, considering the expanding universe.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the terminology and concepts involved, indicating that there is no consensus on how to interpret the differences in redshift between the two types of galaxies.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of terms like "super massive galaxy" and the assumptions about gravitational versus cosmological redshift. The implications of distance and intrinsic gravity are also not fully resolved.

sqljunkey
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How can someone tell the difference between a super massive galaxy's redshift and a galaxy that is accelerating away?
 
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I don't understand the question - "super massive galaxy" is not a term I'm familiar with, and galaxies aren't typically accelerating.

Do you mean how can we distinguish between gravitational redshift from a super massive black hole and cosmological redshift? Because the gravitational redshift from a black hole at the core of a galaxy would be different across the galaxy, and insignificant beyond a barely noticeable fraction of the core. Cosmological redshift is the same for the entire galaxy.
 
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sqljunkey said:
How can someone tell the difference between a super massive galaxy's redshift and a galaxy that is accelerating away?
If you detect light you have one parameter: the measured wavelength. Any "redshift" is inferred from other factors, such as that you are observing a shifted hydrogen spectrum. There is, therefore, nothing inherent in the measured wavelength that tells you anything other than the measured wavelength.
 
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Say you observe same amount of red-shift for the two galaxies, observe distances of these galaxies from the Earth. The Shorter distance galaxy has stronger intrinsic gravity attraction, with the expanding universe considered.
 

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