Imagine the Universe!
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Try Again!

You need to be careful when making your measurement of the wavelength shift observed in M31's spectrum. Use the non-relativistic Doppler shift formula.

doppler shift formula

Remember:

  • v is negative if the source is moving towards the observer, and the spectrum is blueshifted (shorter wavelengths).
  • v is positive if the source is moving away from the observer, and the spectrum is redshifted (longer wavelengths).

Return Click here to return to M31's spectrum and try calculating its velocity again.
Imagine the Universe is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Nicholas White (Director), within the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Jim Lochner
All material on this site has been created and updated between 1997-2004.

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