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Doppler Effect Observed for Stars

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Doppler Effect Observed for Stars

1848

In 1848, French physicist Hippolyte Fizeau observed that the spectral lines of stars were shifted from their expected positions. This discovery showed that light, like sound, experiences a Doppler effect. When stars move toward us, their light shifts toward blue; when they move away, it shifts toward red. This insight became foundational for modern astronomy, allowing scientists to measure stellar motion and, eventually, the expansion of the universe.

 


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