Astronomers have found that light waves coming from a given point on the Sun have a slightly higher frequency than light from a point on the opposite side of the sun. What do these measurements tell you about the Sun’s motions?

Question

apoorvk · Answer

it refers to doppler effect in light waves. i am not very sure, but, i believe (with my knowledge of doppler effect in sound), that the sun is slowing down, (though at a very very infinitesimally small rate)? (but you cannot receive light from opposite half of the sun simultaneously ofcourse).

jamesj · Answer

This is called the red shift effect and it is indeed the Doppler effect for EM radiation.

In this case, it means we are moving towards one side of the sun vs. the other; or it is moving towards us, depending on your frame of reference.

Do a search for "red shift" and you'll find out a lot more about this fascinating topic.

anonymous · Answer

medal me!