What measurement technique allows astronomers to estimate the distance to the Virgo Cluster?
Answer
Measuring redshift to determine speed of recession
Determining the immense distances to structures like the Virgo Cluster relies on established cosmological methods involving motion. Astronomers utilize the measurement of redshift. Redshift occurs when light from distant objects is shifted toward the red end of the spectrum due to the object moving away from the observer. By measuring how quickly these distant galaxies are receding, researchers can calculate the distance to the Virgo Cluster, confirming its separation of around 54 million light-years and placing it within the context of local super-structures.
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Is The Milky Way In The Virgo Supercluster? - Physics Frontier
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