why do scientists observe blueshift in certain stars
1 answer
Scientists observe blueshift in certain stars because it indicates that the star is moving closer to us. Blueshift occurs when an object is moving towards the observer, causing the wavelengths of light to be compressed, resulting in a shift towards the shorter (bluer) end of the electromagnetic spectrum. By observing the amount of blueshift in a star's spectrum, scientists can measure its radial velocity, or the speed at which it is moving towards or away from us. This helps in understanding the motion and dynamics of stars and galaxies, as well as determining their distances from Earth.