Expansion from the big

bang
Edwin Hubbles galaxy redshifts
Aim:
To observe the expansion of the universe through galactic recession (galaxy redshifts) and
Hubble's velocity-distance law.
Background:
In 1! "dwin Hubble found a correlation between the redshift or velocity of recession of
galaxies and their distance# such that velocities are directly proportional to distances. His
law can be expressed as follows$
V = Hr
%here V & the velocity of recession ('()sec)# r & distance (*pc# (egaparsecs# where 1
parsec & +.!, light-years) and H & the Hubble constant. Hubble's original value of H was --.
('()sec) per (egaparsec and the latest value is between /! and /- ('()sec))*pc.
This says that a galaxy or cluster of galaxies (oves away fro( us at a velocity of /! to /-
'()sec for each (illion parsecs of its distance fro( us. However# this constant has been
redeter(ined several ti(es0 each ti(e 1expanding1 the si2e of the universe by several ti(es
it3s previously believed value.
Method:
4lot the data in table 1 on a piece of graph paper as V (on the y axis) against r (on the x
axis). 5se this plot to deter(ine the value for the Hubble constant H.
ote that V = Hr is in the sa(e for( as y = mx and therefore H is the slope of the straight
line plotted when you plot V against r. 6lso re(e(ber that the slo!e is the rise o"er the
run.
#onstellation for each
$alaxy
%istance &M!c' Velocity &km(sec'
4egasus +7 +71.
4egasus 8, +7,.
4erseus -+ -8+.
9eo 7. 8,.
:o(a -7 ,,-/
9eo 1!. /!..
Hercules 1.- 1.8..
4egasus 18- 1!7..
;e(ini +.. !+8..
:o(a +,7 !!8..
9eo +./ 1!..
!8,,,8.8.doc 1 <.=tanger
5rsa *a>or 8-/ 8.8..
4egasus --! 8....
)esults:
#alculations:
#onclusion:
!8,,,8.8.doc ! <.=tanger