Optimizing Gravitational Redshift Measurements: Techniques and Targets

[bigray69]

what is the best method to measure gravitational redshift using a small telescope ?
and in which stars the effect is the strongest ?

 

[Chronos]

It can't be done. You need huge [think observatory size] aperature to gather enough light to take such measurements.

 

[twofish-quant]

what is the best method to measure gravitational redshift using a small telescope ?
and in which stars the effect is the strongest ?

The gravitational redshift has been measured with the Sun and a small telescope.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/x76qp33619185754/

It requires a specialized filter, but I think this is something that can be build in someones garage.

 

[Chronos]

Pardon my extrasolar assumption. I still doubt you can do this reliably without very expensive instruments.

 

[twofish-quant]

Pardon my extrasolar assumption. I still doubt you can do this reliably without very expensive instruments.

There's "I'll get sell my car expensive" and "We'll need a appropriation from Congress expensive". Looking over how to build a magnetic-optical filter that will let you see solar gravitational redshift, I'm guessing that it can be built for about $10K in parts.

Also, if you want to detect gravitational redshift in your backyard, reproducing the Pound-Rebka experiment could be done on a budget.

Finally, GPS relies on General relativity to work, and if we thinking about it, I think we could come up with a way of hacking some GPS devices to detect gravitational redshift.

 

[FlexGunship]

what is the best method to measure gravitational redshift using a small telescope ?
and in which stars the effect is the strongest ?

You're already paying taxes so this can be done. Enjoy the results! Most of them can be found on Wikipedia or on NASA resources.

 

[Chronos]

... Looking over how to build a magnetic-optical filter that will let you see solar gravitational redshift, I'm guessing that it can be built for about $10K in parts.

I deem that 'expensive', and, useless for extrasolar redshift measurements using an amateur size telescope.