Kékeltolódás

Kékeltolódás, also known as blueshift, is a phenomenon in astronomy and physics where electromagnetic radiation from an object undergoes an increase in frequency and a decrease in wavelength. This occurs when the source of the radiation is moving towards the observer. In simpler terms, the light waves are compressed, shifting them towards the blue end of the visible spectrum.

The opposite effect is called redshift, where radiation from an object moving away from the observer experiences a decrease in frequency and an increase in wavelength, shifting towards the red end of the spectrum. Kékeltolódás is a direct consequence of the Doppler effect, the same principle that causes the pitch of a siren to change as it moves past.

Astronomers use kékeltolódás to determine the radial velocity of celestial objects. By measuring the precise shift in the spectral lines of light emitted or absorbed by stars, galaxies, or other cosmic bodies, scientists can calculate how fast they are approaching Earth. For instance, if a star exhibits a significant kékeltolódás, it indicates that it is moving towards our solar system at a considerable speed.

While kékeltolódás is most commonly discussed in the context of visible light, it applies to all forms of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. The magnitude of the shift is directly proportional to the relative velocity between the source and the observer. This principle is fundamental to understanding the dynamics of the universe and the motion of celestial objects within it.