What concept is confirmed by the redshift observed in Messier 64?
Answer
The overall expansion of the universe (Hubble flow).
The consistent observation that Messier 64 exhibits a redshift is a critical piece of evidence linking it to the general cosmological principle that the universe is expanding. This recession velocity, characterized by the stretching of light waves toward the red end of the spectrum, confirms the galaxy is participating in the Hubble flow, which describes how distant galaxies move away from each other as spacetime itself stretches. This contrasts with galaxies within the Local Group, such as Andromeda, which exhibit blueshifts due to dominant local gravitational influences overriding the general expansion effect over shorter distances.
Related Questions
What galaxy classification is Messier 64, known as the Black Eye Galaxy?What dynamical feature is observed between the inner dusty area and outer regions of M64?In which constellation is Messier 64, the Black Eye Galaxy, located?What is the approximate apparent magnitude listed for Messier 64?What spectral shift is observed for Messier 64 due to its recessional velocity?Why is spectral redshift measurement more reliable than apparent brightness for M64's distance?Approximately how many light-years across does the Messier 64 structure span?What concept is confirmed by the redshift observed in Messier 64?If M64 showed a blueshift, what unlikely scenario would this imply about local gravitational forces?What physical process causes the stretching of light wavelengths when a source recedes?