Redshift (Noun)
Meaning
(astronomy) a shift in the spectra of very distant galaxies toward longer wavelengths (toward the red end of the spectrum); generally interpreted as evidence that the universe is expanding.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The observation of redshift in the light coming from distant galaxies provided strong evidence for the expansion of the universe.
- Astronomers use redshift to measure the velocity of galaxies and determine how fast they are moving away from us.
- The farther away a galaxy is, the greater its redshift, indicating that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
- By analyzing the redshift of light from distant quasars, scientists can infer the composition and density of the intergalactic medium.
- The redshift of galaxy spectra is a key tool for cosmologists to study the evolution and structure of the universe on large scales.