Astronomy Practice Exam

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What is the significance of the Red Shift in astronomy?

It helps discover new planets
It indicates the age of stars
It measures how far away a galaxy is
It explains the color of stars

The correct answer is: It measures how far away a galaxy is

The significance of the Red Shift in astronomy lies in its ability to measure how far away a galaxy is from Earth. This phenomenon occurs when light emitted from an object in space is stretched to longer wavelengths as the object moves away from the observer, resulting in a shift towards the red end of the spectrum. This effect is a crucial piece of evidence supporting the expansion of the universe, as it indicates that most galaxies are receding from us. By analyzing the degree of red shift in the light from a galaxy, astronomers can determine its velocity relative to Earth. This measurement directly correlates to the distance of the galaxy due to the relationship established by Hubble's Law, which states that the speed at which a galaxy is moving away is proportional to its distance from us. Hence, red shift is fundamental in helping astronomers estimate distances to far-off galaxies and understand the overall structure and expansion history of the universe.