|
|
More on Brightness as a Function of Distance
The intensity or brightness of light as a function of the distance from the
light source follows an inverse square relationship. Suppose you were to
use a light meter to measure an initial intensity Ii, or
brightness, a distance r from a light source. Suppose that some time later
the brightness of the light is either greater or lesser; if the intensity
diminished you would know that the source was moving away from you and if
it became brighter you would know that the source was moving towards you
(assuming the light source itself remained the same).
This relationship can be illustrated by the diagram below, which shows the
apparent brightness of a source with luminosity L0 at distances
r, 2r, 3r, etc. Notice that as the distance increases, the light must
spread out over a larger surface and the surface brightness decreases in
accordance with a "one over r squared" relationship. The decrease goes as r
squared because the area over which the light is spread is
proportional to the distance squared.
If M31 is moving with respect to the Earth, you should be able to see a
change in its apparent brightness. Measuring this change would allow you to
calculate its speed.
|
