Earth & Space Learning Studio

Redshift Investigation

Move the source toward or away from Earth and observe the wavelength, wave spacing, color, and spectral-line positions change at the same time.

Manipulate the source

Make your prediction on the worksheet first. Then drag the slider continuously in either direction.

← TOWARD EARTH

reference position

AWAY FROM EARTH →

Reference position

The farther you drag from the center, the larger the modeled wavelength shift.

Wave & color observed from Earth

DISTANT STAR / GALAXY

OBSERVER ON EARTH

Reference light

Reference wavelength 500 nm

Observed wavelength from Earth 500 nm

Observed color from Earth Reference

Spectral-line evidence

Watch these while you move the same slider.

Reference Spectrum unchanged

400 nm550 nm700 nm

Observed From Earth reference position

400 nm550 nm700 nm

Record on your worksheet:
What happens to wave spacing, wavelength, color, and spectral-line position as you move toward Earth? What happens as you move away?