Transverse Doppler Effect for a Moving Star

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the observed wavelength of light emitted by a star moving at 0.5c in a direction transverse to the observer on Earth. The Lorentz transformation is applied to relate the star's rest frame to the Earth's frame, leading to a calculated wavelength of ##\frac{\lambda_0}{\gamma}##. However, there is confusion regarding the relationship between wavelength and frequency, with a reference to differing information found on Wikipedia. The participant questions whether the transformation was applied correctly, particularly regarding the direction of light emission and the appropriate use of the transformation matrix. The discussion highlights the complexities of relativistic effects, particularly in the context of time dilation and light behavior.
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Homework Statement


A star travels in a direction transverse to the line of observation from Earth, with a speed 0.5c. It also emits light with wavelength ##\lambda_0## in the rest frame of the star. Calculate the wavelength of the light as observed on Earth, and also the angle at which the light is emitted in the rest frame of the star. Comment briefly on how your result relates to relativistic time dilation.

Homework Equations



Lorentz Transformation.

##\textbf{p} = Ec##
##\frac{E}{c} = \frac{h}{\lambda_0}##

The Attempt at a Solution



Assuming the star is traveling in the positive ##x##-axis and that it emits the photon in the positive ##y##-axis, then the photon in the star's rest frame is

$$ \left ( \begin{array} \\
0 \\ \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \\ 0 \\ \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \end{array} \right ). $$

Multiplying by the Lorentz transformation matrix to the frame of the Earth from that of the star, we have

$$
\left ( \begin{array} \\ \gamma & 0 & 0 & \gamma \beta \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 \\ \gamma \beta & 0 & 0 & \gamma \end{array} \right )
\left ( \begin{array} \\
0 \\ \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \\ 0 \\ \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \end{array} \right ) = \left ( \begin{array} \\ \gamma \beta \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \\ \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \\ 0 \\ \gamma \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \end{array} \right).
$$

So according to this the wavelength has decreased to ##\frac{ \lambda_0}{\gamma}##, but that is different to what I've found on wikipedia, where it is the frequency that decreases.

What have I done wrong?
 
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Is it simply the wrong ordering of the transformation? Is the actual case that the light is in the ##y## direction in Earth's frame and so we multiply by the inverse matrix to find the photon in the stars frame ( which we already know the wavelength of)?
 
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