Galaxienverschiebung

Galaxienverschiebung refers to the phenomenon where the light from distant galaxies is shifted towards longer, redder wavelengths. This cosmological redshift is a key piece of evidence supporting the theory of the expanding universe. When astronomers observe the light spectrum of a galaxy, they look for characteristic absorption or emission lines, which correspond to specific elements. If these lines appear at longer wavelengths than they do in a laboratory setting on Earth, it indicates that the galaxy is moving away from us.

The amount of redshift is directly proportional to the distance of the galaxy. This relationship, known as Hubble's Law, was first established by Edwin Hubble in the late 1920s. The farther away a galaxy is, the faster it appears to be receding, and thus the greater its redshift. This observation implies that the universe is not static but is undergoing continuous expansion, with galaxies moving away from each other in all directions.

Galaxienverschiebung is measured using spectroscopy, where light is dispersed into its component wavelengths. By comparing the observed spectral lines to known laboratory values, astronomers can calculate the redshift. This measurement is crucial for determining distances to galaxies and for understanding the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe. It also plays a vital role in cosmological models, providing observational constraints on the age and expansion rate of the cosmos.