How does relativity affect the Lyman line and its observed wavelength?

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Relativity affects the observed wavelength of the Lyman line through the relativistic Doppler effect, which accounts for changes in frequency based on the relative motion between the source and observer. When an object emits light at a specific wavelength, such as 607.5 nm, its speed relative to Earth can be calculated using the Doppler formula. As the object moves away, the observed wavelength increases (red shift), while it decreases (blue shift) if the object approaches. The formula for calculating the observed frequency incorporates the speed of light and the relative velocity of the source. Understanding this effect is crucial for accurately interpreting astronomical observations.
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Hi,
What is the effect of relativity on the Lyman line? For instance, an object emits a line with a certain wavelength, but we measure it to be 607.5 nm on earth. What is the speed that the object is moving relativity to the earth?

Thanks.
 
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yxgao said:
Hi,
What is the effect of relativity on the Lyman line? For instance, an object emits a line with a certain wavelength, but we measure it to be 607.5 nm on earth. What is the speed that the object is moving relativity to the earth?
Thanks.

I believe it has to do with the old (round 150 years) Doppler-Fizeau effect.Take the book,search for the formula and apply it correctly,knowing u're given the value in the moving (but inertial) reference frame and you're being questioned about the wavelength in the rest reference system.

Daniel.

PS.It be can't gravitational red shift,right?? :confused:

EDIT:You're questioned about the velocity,you're given both wavelengths.So it's the same formula,though...
 
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Doppler effect - as an object moves away, the frequency of light emitted is reduced (red shift), and conversely, as the object approaches, the light wave frequency would increase (blue shift).
 
Frequency as observed from Earth = sqrt[(c-v)/(c+v)] * frequency of the source.
v>0 means the object is moving away from the observer (red shift).

gamma.
 
Thanks for your help, guys!
I didn't realize that this was just the relatvistic doppler shift:

<br /> \nu_{obs} = \nu_{source} \sqrt{{\frac{1+\frac{v}{c}}{1-\frac{v}{c}}}}<br />
\nu positive means source is approaching
\nu positive means source is not approaching
 
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