Slipher

Definition

Vesto Melvin Slipher was an American astronomer known for his pioneering work on galaxy redshifts. His observations laid the foundation for the discovery of the expanding universe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Slipher was the first to measure the radial velocities of spiral galaxies, noting their redshifts.
2. His work provided crucial evidence that galaxies are moving away from us, supporting the idea of an expanding universe.
3. Slipher's measurements indicated that most galaxies have a redshift, suggesting they are receding from Earth.
4. He worked at Lowell Observatory and made significant contributions between 1912 and 1917.
5. Edwin Hubble later used Slipher's data to formulate what is now known as Hubble's Law.

Review Questions

• What key astronomical phenomenon did Vesto Slipher observe in spiral galaxies?
• How did Slipher's observations contribute to our understanding of the universe?
• Which famous law of cosmology utilized Vesto Slipher's data?

Related terms

Redshift:

The displacement of spectral lines towards longer wavelengths in radiation from distant galaxies and celestial objects.

Hubble's Law:

A law stating that the velocity at which a galaxy is receding from Earth is proportional to its distance from Earth.

Lowell Observatory: An astronomical observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona where Vesto Slipher conducted much of his groundbreaking research.