Transverse Doppler Effect for a Moving Star

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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 line of sight from Earth. The Lorentz Transformation is applied to derive the wavelength, resulting in a decrease to ##\frac{\lambda_0}{\gamma}##. The confusion arises regarding the relationship between wavelength and frequency, as the participant notes a discrepancy with Wikipedia's explanation. The key conclusion is that the transformation must be correctly applied to account for the transverse Doppler effect and relativistic time dilation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz Transformation
  • Familiarity with relativistic effects, specifically time dilation
  • Knowledge of wave-particle duality and photon behavior
  • Basic concepts of special relativity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the transverse Doppler effect in special relativity
  • Learn about the implications of relativistic time dilation on light emission
  • Explore the relationship between wavelength and frequency in relativistic contexts
  • Investigate practical applications of Lorentz Transformation in astrophysics
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Astronomy students, physicists, and anyone interested in the effects of relativistic motion on light and wavelength observations.

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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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