Student Research Task
Redshift in Space
Ryan O’Shea
31/08/2022
Mr Fogarty
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1. Rationale
The claim “Red shift of light is definitive proof that the big bang was the origin of the
universe” can be investigated in two areas. The first of these is defining the term ‘red shift’.
Red shift can be defined as the “displacement of the spectrum of an astronomical object
toward longer (red) wavelengths” (Gregersen, n.d.). The second area is the term ‘Big
Bang Theory’. This is one of many theories about the beginning of the universe, in which a
massive explosion from a singular point caused the rapid creation of the universe.
Many scientists believe that red shift is proof of an explosion because, if there was one, the
force created from the blast would send any nearby matter in the opposite direction.
Thousands of galaxies in the universe display this change in colour, but the greatest
example of red shift is a galaxy by the name of GN-z11. The high levels of red shift
associated with GN-z11 signify that this specific galaxy is moving away from some point in
the universe, as well as earth. If the big bang was the origin of the universe, then this would
explain why Gn-z11 appears red, in line with the red shift theory, indicating movement
away from earth (originally from another point).
This review will explore the red shift effect, where galaxies appear red (meaning they are
moving away). With all of that in mind comes the question, Is the red shift of galaxy GN-z11
conclusive proof that the universe originated from a big bang? If the this can be backed
up with scientific evidence, the claim “Red shift of light is definitive proof that the big bang
was the origin of the universe” will be supported.
2. Research Question
Is the redshift of galaxy GN-z11 conclusive proof that the universe originated from a big
bang?
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3. Analysis and Interpretation
3.1 Scientific Background
Red shift of light is primarily explained and/or backed up by the Doppler Effect. “The
Doppler Effect is caused when the source of a waveform—such as sound or light—sends
out waves at a regular rate or frequency, but there is a constant relative motion between
the source and observer, causing the observed frequency to change” (Kurtus, n.d.). This
means in terms of light, if the source emitting light was moving towards earth, the colour
produced would be a blue like colour, because the wavelengths are shorter (blueshift). If
the source of emitted light was moving away from earth, the colour would appear to be
redder, as the wavelength is longer. This is known as the emission spectrum, as different
wavelengths of light produce different colours. From research, “The Doppler red-shift of
light observed from distant stars and galaxies gives evidence that the universe is
expanding (moving away from a central point). This allows for Big Bang Theory, because
after a “bang” occurs, all of the matter moves away from the point of origin” (Newcomer
Academy High School, n.d.). Redshift supports the theory that there was a massive
explosion causing everything in the universe to be pushed away from a central point.
3.2 Data Analysis
Figure 1: GN-z11's Red shift in space
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Gn-z11 is one of the oldest galaxies ever observed from earth. It also happens to be one of
the most redshift galaxies in the universe. Nasa Hubble first captured an image of the
distant galaxy GN-z11 back in 2016. From earth, it is observed as a red colour, which can
be noticed in figure 1. GN-z11 is one of the many examples of how the movement of a
galaxy stretches emitted light waves, which in turn, causes them to look red. It is difficult to
see, but along with GN-z11, other galaxies in the photo appear to be yellow or even red.
This is quite significant, as it indicates that all of these galaxies are moving, specifically
away from earth.
Figure 2: Map of the universe and level of red shift in distant galaxies
“Edwin Hubble investigated redshift and discovered that all galaxies have a positive
redshift. In other words, all galaxies were receding from the Milky Way” (Pascarelle, n.d.).
When other distant galaxies, nearby GN-z11 were photographed, astronomers noticed
that they were also highly red shift, which meant that Edwin Hubble’s theory correct. It
turns out that the fastest objects (also the oldest and most red shift) are the furthest
objects away from earth. Figure 2 represents this ‘map’ of the universe. As seen, the older
different galaxies are, the closer they are to the supposed Big Bang. Figure 2 also shows
that the older galaxies in the universe are the most redshift ones, and modern galaxies
have little to no redshift at all.
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Figure 3: Theorised diagram of what the big bang might have looked like
Now, with everything in the universe moving somewhere, astronomers have guessed that
the galaxies must have started from some point in the universe. The most probable cause
of this is a big bang. In any case, a huge explosion would cause nearby matter to be cast
in all directions, so in the case of a big bang in the universe, galaxies would have been
pushed outwards from the point of explosion. This can be seen illustrated in figure 3, where
the objects in space have been pushed away from one point.
Overall, there were two main significant points throughout figures 1, 2 and 3. The first of
which is that the further away planets are, the more redshift they become. Which leads
people to believe in the second point. If they are moving away from one another, they
must have started moving from one singular point in the universe. A big bang is theorised
to have happened and been the cause of this. This would have pushed every bit of
matter nearby away from it, which would explain the reason for the universe’s expansion
and the movement of galaxies, specifically Gn-z11. When considering the evidence
provided, there is no definitive proof that the redshift of Gn-z11 was caused by a big
bang.
However, not all factors were accounted for. Firstly, figure 1 has been artificially enhanced
by Hubble before release, which means the colours of the galaxies might not be totally
accurate. This alteration may cause Gn-z11 to appear slightly different in colour than in
actuality. Secondly, figure 3 is a projected idea of what the big bang might have looked
like. There is no further proof that this is the exact way the universe has expanded and
could easily be different in reality if it was the cause of the movement of these galaxies.
Finally, little to no data was found when researching, so there are few sources that can be
used to support the claim, other than red shift and different theories.
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4. Evaluation
4.1 Evaluation of evidence
The diagrams and figures used in this investigation were retrieved from two places. The first
of which being the official Hubble website (figures 1 and 2). Hubble is run by Nasa
(National Aeronautics and Space Administration), responsible for most space research.
The photo of GN-z11 and diagram of red shift galaxies in space are highly credible, as
they were photographed and produced by Hubble. With that in mind, the website in
which the photos were retrieved from was published in 2016, which means that it is not the
most current. Figure 3 was collected from Space.com. The website was published in late
2011, so the data is not very current. The journal that contains the image was made by the
staff of the website, so there is no proof of actual scientific background of the
author/writer.
4.2 Improvements and extensions
There are various improvements that could be made to the data. Firstly, there are many
other galaxies that experience the same effect of red shift, only they may not show it as
much. Investigating other galaxies would give stronger proof that red shift means they are
moving away from earth. So, in order to get more precise evidence on the theory that red
shift is proof of the big bang, a much better way to go around investigating distant
galaxies is by looking at more of them. This could account for possible flaws in the theory
such as red shift only happening in one specific place or different levels of red shift in
different galaxies in the same proximity.
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5. Conclusion
This report investigated the claim “Red shift of light is definitive proof that the big bang was
the origin of the universe”. It is clear, after thorough research, that there is very little
evidence other than redshift to actually support the theory of a big bang. With that said, it
is apparent that the galaxies are moving, with proof being the red shift of GN-z11. This is
evident in figures 1 and 2, where distant galaxies’ light waves have been stretched
because of their movement, which is known as the doppler effect. This causes the light to
appear red in colour when observed from earth. So, the answer to the question ‘Is the
redshift of galaxy GN-z11 conclusive proof that the universe originated from a big bang?’
is evidently no, as there is no further proof of a big bang other than redshift of remote
galaxies.
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6. References
Gregersen, E. (n.d.). redshift | Definition & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/redshift
Kurtus, R. (n.d.). Doppler Effect for Waveforms by Ron Kurtus - Physics Lessons: School for
Champions. Doppler Effect for Waveforms. https://www.school-forchampions.com/science/waves_doppler_effect.htm#.YvXWwHZBw2w
NASA Hubble. (2016a, March 3). COMPASS AND SCALE IMAGE FOR GOODS-N AND GNZ11 [Photograph]. COMPASS AND SCALE IMAGE FOR GOODS-N AND GN-Z11.
https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2016/07/3711-Image.html?news=true
NASA Hubble. (2016b, March 3). UNIVERSE TIMELINE [Photograph]. UNIVERSE TIMELINE.
https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2016/07/3707-Image.html?news=true
Newcomer Academy High School. (n.d.). "The Birth of The Universe. Microsoft Word - HS
Module 1 Birth of the Universe Script.
https://louisville.edu/planetarium/research/implementation/visualization-scripts/highschool/hs-module1#:~:text=Doppler%20Red%2DShift%20Evidence&text=The%20Doppler%20red%2Dshift%20o
f,from%20the%20point%20of%20origin.
Pascarelle, S. (n.d.). High Redshift Objects. Quasars. Retrieved August 16, 2022, from
http://abyss.uoregon.edu/%7Ejs/cosmo/lectures/lec12.html#:%7E:text=High%20Redshift%2
0Objects,it%20is%20(Hubble’s%20law).
Space.com. (2011, October 18). Big Bang Diagram [Phtotgraph]. Images: Peering Back to
the Big Bang & Early Universe. https://www.space.com/13219-photos-big-bang-earlyuniverse-history.html
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