Quasar spectra often show many absorption lines that all appear to be as a result of the same electron transition (such as level 1 to level 2 in hydrogen) but that fall at different wavelengths in the spectrum.
Question
Quasar spectra often show many absorption lines that all appear to be as a result of the same electron transition (such as level 1 to level 2 in hydrogen) but that fall at different wavelengths in the spectrum. Why do we think this is the case? – Q/A (Question and Answer)
Test Answer
Answer:
We are seeing absorption lines from clouds of gas that lie between us and the quasar, and therefore each cloud has a different redshift.
Recource Astronomy Chapter 21
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