2007-05-26 13:42:36 · 2 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Cosmological red shift is a result of the overall velocity of motion of distant objects. Wave dispersion results when the wave is separated into its frequency components as a result of passing through some medium, like dispersion when light passes through a glass prism.
Dispersion is generally ruled out because the red shift is seen in *all* directions, and it is difficult to imagine that all distant objects would have their light pass through some medium before it gets to us in such a uniform way.
It does happen though. Some galaxies are reddened because their lights passes near the center of our galaxy where there is a lot of dust.
HTH
Charles
2007-05-26 15:23:27 · answer #1 · answered by Charles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The red shift is the Doppler effect created when an object is receding.
The dispersion is the natural effect of aging of a light beam as it travels through space or a fiber optic.
2007-05-27 01:49:11 · answer #2 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋