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J Azeez
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What does mean by velocity dispersion of galaxy? What is the different between stellar velocity dispersion and molecular velocity dispersion?
Welcome to the PF.J Azeez said:What does mean by velocity dispersion of galaxy? What is the different between stellar velocity dispersion and molecular velocity dispersion?
Velocity dispersion refers to the measure of the spread of velocities within a system, such as a group of stars or galaxies. It is commonly used in astrophysics to understand the dynamics and structure of these systems.
While average velocity is a measure of the average speed of objects within a system, velocity dispersion takes into account the spread or distribution of velocities within the system. It provides a more comprehensive understanding of the motion of objects in a system.
Velocity dispersion is an important parameter in understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and other large-scale structures in the universe. It can also provide insights into the amount and distribution of dark matter within these systems.
Velocity dispersion is typically measured through spectroscopic observations, which measure the Doppler shifts of light emitted by objects in a system. The broader the range of velocities observed, the larger the velocity dispersion.
No, velocity dispersion alone cannot determine the age of a system. It is influenced by various factors such as the mass and size of the system, so it cannot be used as a direct measure of age. However, it can provide valuable information about the dynamics and structure of a system, which can be used in conjunction with other data to estimate its age.