blueshiftn.
/ˈbluːˌʃɪft/, U.S. /ˈbluˌʃɪft/ Chiefly Astronomy.
A shortening of the observed wavelength of light from celestial objects, as discerned from the displacement of spectral lines towards shorter wavelengths relative to their position at the time of emission; the ratio of the observed decrease in wavelength to the original wavelength, as a measure of this displacement; any displacement of spectral lines towards shorter wavelengths in a spectroscopic context.In Astronomy a blue shift typically results from the movement of a source towards the observer, but may also occur as a result of gravity. The amount of a blueshift can be used as a measure of speed of approach, just as a redshift can measure recession.In the case of lines in the visible spectrum, a decrease in wavelength corresponds to a displacement towards the blue, but in the case of wavelengths shorter than that of blue light, such as ultraviolet light, a decrease in wavelength corresponds to displacement away from the blue.Formerly also called violet shift.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > radio source > [noun] > blue shift
blueshift1933
violet shift1959
1933 Ann. Astron. Observatory Harvard Coll. 84 209 The blue shift is in all probability connected with the presence of emission bands.
1940 Math. Gaz. 24 63 But what it [sc. the Andromeda nebula] does show to an observer on the earth is a small blue-shift.
1961 Jrnl. Chem. Physics 35 375/2 There is a blue shift of the peak which is quite independent of the compound involved.
1965 N.Y. Times 14 Nov. iv. 7/6 A search for objects with such a blue shift is being initiated in the vicinity of Centaurus.
1979 Nature 11 Oct. 498/1 Hyperpolarisation of the membrane causes a blueshift of the spectrum when probe is applied to the inside.
1990 J. Gribbin & M. Rees Cosmic Coincidences (1991) i. 24 Changes in the light from distant galaxies (redshifts and blueshifts) tell us how fast the galaxies are moving.
1995 Sky & Telescope May 14/2 The surface heavings [of a star] are less than 1 meter per second, producing red- and blueshifts of only about 0.00002 angstrom.
2010 Nature 24 June 983/1 Also revealed—as blueshift of the carbon monoxide signal with respect to host star velocity—a strong wind flowing at high altitude from the irradiated dayside to the non-irradiated nightside of the planet.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2013; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
blueshiftv.
/ˈbluːˌʃɪft/, U.S. /ˈbluˌʃɪft/ Science.
1. intransitive. To be displaced towards the blue end of the visible spectrum; (of electromagnetic radiation) to decrease in wavelength or increase in energy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > radio source > [verb (transitive)] > blue shift
blueshift1958
1958 Jrnl. Molecular Spectroscopy 2 61 An (n, π*) triplet is predicted to blue-shift, upon conjugative substitution.
1978 Arch. Biochem. & Biophysics 185 7/1 This band continues to blue shift with a further increase in pH.
1993 Jrnl. Luminescence 57 63/2 PL [= photoluminescence] appears in the near-infrared range, and, upon aging, it blue-shifts.
2010 T. Takeuchi Illustr. Guide Relativity vi. 160 If we see yellow light, has it red-shifted from blue, or has it blue-shifted from red?
2. transitive. To displace towards the blue end of the visible spectrum; to cause (electromagnetic radiation) to decrease in wavelength or increase in energy. Usually in passive.
ΚΠ
1960 Jrnl. Chem. Physics 32 357 The other transition [in an emission spectrum] is..blurred somewhat in vibrational structure, blue shifted by 113 cm-1.., and showing decreases in the ground state vibrational frequencies.
1972 New Scientist 9 Nov. 318/2 The background radiation is a necessary feature of the universe. During the contracting phase of each cycle, starlight and other radiation is blueshifted to an ever-increasing degree.
1973 Nature 21 Dec. 517/1 In general the absorbance spectra of the visual pigments of deep-water and pelagic marine animals are blueshifted compared to those of coastal and estuarine animals.
2003 J. Magueijo in C. J. A. P. Martins Cosmol. Extra Dimensions 497 The same boost blueshifts the other photon to the expected y-ray threshold energy.
2008 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105 13365/1 The tyrosine 203 phenol is pushed far enough away from the main chromophore to blue-shift the spectrum of citrine to the green.
Derivatives
ˈblueˌshifted adj.
ΚΠ
1966 Nature 30 July 503/1 So far, no blue-shifted quasi-stellar radio sources have been observed while many have measured red-shifts.
1978 J. M. Pasachoff & M. L. Kutner University Astron. xxiv. 600 If we were talking about light, this shift would be in the blue direction; even though we are discussing radio waves we say ‘blueshifted’ anyway.
2008 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105 16451/1 In principle, one can also obtain the enhancement properties at blue-shifted frequencies with respect to the laser line by using anti-Stokes scattering.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2013; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1933v.1958