redshift

What is another word for redshift? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A stretching in the wavelength of light as it crosses space, shifting it towards the red end of the spectrum.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A stretching in the wavelength of light as it crosses space, shifting it towards the red end of the spectrum.

“Astronomers measured the redshift of the distant galaxy to work out how far away it was.”

Opposites

blueshift

2. verb

To shift, or cause light to shift, towards the red end of the spectrum as it travels through space.

“Light from a receding galaxy redshifts as it crosses the expanding universe.”

Opposites

blueshift

How to use redshift

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

measure the redshift high redshift cosmological redshift redshift and blueshift

Redshift is a specialist term from physics and astronomy, not used in everyday speech.

Etymology

Redshift is a straightforward English compound, formed by joining red and shift to describe light shifting towards the red end of the spectrum.

Full origin of redshift →

Frequently asked questions

What is redshift in astronomy?

It is the stretching of light's wavelength as it travels through space, shifting the light towards the red end of the spectrum and pointing to a lower frequency.

What is the opposite of redshift?

Blueshift, where light's wavelength shortens instead, shifting it towards the blue end of the spectrum.

Is redshift related to the Doppler effect?

Redshift caused by a source moving away resembles the Doppler effect known from sound.

Nearby words

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