Science

SouthernDemLinda

(182 posts)

46. Observation of the redshift-distance relationship.

Wed Jun 15, 2016, 06:27 PM

Jun 2016

Hubble's observation of the redshift-distance relationship. This relationship enables us to approximate the age of the universe with the help of three separate celestial bodies that all arrive at the same relative result. Hubble used what is known as "standard candles" to build a "cosmic distance ladder." By knowing the distance of certain celestial bodies he would be able to incrementally construct an age for the Universe. These standard candles were: Cepheid variables in neighborhood galaxies; bright stars in more distant galaxies and in galaxies millions of parsecs away, the brightness of the galaxy itself was used as a standard candle.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

49 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

It took centuries, but we now know the size of the Universe [View all] Judi Lynn Jun 2016 OP

How annoying. The headline makes a promise the article fails to keep. Android3.14 Jun 2016 #1

My observable universe is a gray-beige cube five feet on a side. Orrex Jun 2016 #2

Yes, but outside there may be a Dark Wally... Jerry442 Jun 2016 #6

You have cube walls? You lucky bastidge... Thor_MN Jun 2016 #8

you want to talk density? Here' my office...;) Javaman Jun 2016 #13

I like how the started filling the pool neatly... hunter Jun 2016 #18

someone said, "don't worry we have plenty of time!" Javaman Jun 2016 #21

No diving. Orrex Jun 2016 #19

Trump University? OverBurn Jun 2016 #42

Sounds like you've been promoted to "veal" Orrex Jun 2016 #20

outside that cube is an alternative universe. ;) nt Javaman Jun 2016 #12

Nothing then, when described as an infinite void, excludes all possibility of anything else existing SouthernDemLinda Jun 2016 #43

um, okay, I was...just making a, um, joke... Javaman Jun 2016 #44

Well, um, excuse me while I laugh my ass off! SouthernDemLinda Jun 2016 #48

well, okay then... Javaman Jun 2016 #49

This message was self-deleted by its author Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2016 #3

They gave a figure of 93 billion light years. alfredo Jun 2016 #4

Big difference (possibly an infinitely big difference) between Android3.14 Jun 2016 #23

Using "it" is lazy. alfredo Jun 2016 #28

And reconciling that size with an age of 13.8 billion years pokerfan Jun 2016 #41

My answere is not about the size of universe it's about the age. SouthernDemLinda Jun 2016 #45

Observation of the redshift-distance relationship. SouthernDemLinda Jun 2016 #46

The headline must be a politician. nt valerief Jun 2016 #30

. Android3.14 Jun 2016 #31

Really? Helen Borg Jun 2016 #5

I used to love physics and the study of the universe. A few years ago I came to the same A Simple Game Jun 2016 #10

Please pass the bong. alfredo Jun 2016 #29

Horton Hears a Who WheelWalker Jun 2016 #38

This is too much! pokerfan Jun 2016 #40

The human mind cannot truly comprehend the vastness of the Universe. InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 2016 #7

The universe is is constantly expanding. Fla Dem Jun 2016 #9

Milky Way "exceptional" SCantiGOP Jun 2016 #11

Yeah. What universe? sarge43 Jun 2016 #14

Article talks about both Bradical79 Jun 2016 #16

Interesting article, click bait headline though :-P -nt Bradical79 Jun 2016 #15

This message was self-deleted by its author fleabiscuit Jun 2016 #17

A good video on the solar system, leap years, the calender and such cosmic things packman Jun 2016 #22

No-no-no-no Android3.14 Jun 2016 #24

I've read that disclaimer - BUT packman Jun 2016 #25

So what is there Beyond The Border soilopen Jun 2016 #26

Mexicans. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2016 #32

... Xipe Totec Jun 2016 #36

No boundaries. SouthernDemLinda Jun 2016 #47

computer; end program. allan01 Jun 2016 #27

On the back of a Turtle shadowmayor Jun 2016 #33

Shape of the universe? nikto Jun 2016 #34

Spherical, likely. Gore1FL Jun 2016 #37

But what about cheese? Does it have cheese on it? nikto Jun 2016 #39

It's Yuge! nt Xipe Totec Jun 2016 #35