8.1 Flashcards
Doppler Shifts and Redshift
Doppler Shifts in the local universe imply:
- redshift (z) indicating motion away from the observer
- For very high velocities (v close to c), relativistic speeds need to be considered
- For v«c, z ≈ v/c
formula for doppler schift is already on a seperate card
Hubble Law
States: linear relationship between velocity (v) and distance (d) of galaxies:
v = H₀d, where H0 is the Hubble constant.
Hubble Constant (not numerical)
H0
- not constant over time
- Crucial for understanding the expansion of the universe.
Determination of Hubble Constant
- Involves distance determination for galaxies
- Absolute luminosities are hard to determine and require calibration
- Formula used is: 5 log10(d[pc]) = m - M + 5.
Distance Ladder Method
A method to measure distances in the universe, progressing from nearby stars to distant galaxies using different techniques at each step.
Gravitational Lensing
An alternative method to determine Hubble’s law, involving time delays in images of lensed, variable quasars to calculate distances.
Hubble Constant Calculation
- Calculated as v = H0d + δv, where δv represents peculiar velocities of galaxies
- Systematic effects dominate for distances > 15 Mpc
- H0 = 72 ± 8 km s-1 Mpc-1
Hubble Time
The estimated time since all galaxies were at a single point, providing a rough estimate for the age of the Universe:
tH ≈ 1/H0 = 14 · 109 years
surely we can also learn: 1.4 · 1010 years
Redshift Surveys
Used for mapping the 3D distribution of galaxies. They show filaments of enhanced galaxy densities and large empty voids.
Large Scale Galaxy Distribution
On large scales, galaxy distribution appears isotropic and homogeneous.