Red Shift Problem 1

Question

Suppose the shift in the spectrum of a distant galaxy is measured, and the line normally located at 0.5 microns has shifted to 1.0 microns. Calculate the redshift of this galaxy.

Answer

The red-shift is defined as

• redshift = ( observed wavelength - true wavelength ) / true wavelength

Therefore

• redshift = (1.0 microns - 0.5 microns)/0.5 microns
  
  
  . = 0.5/0.5
  
  . =1