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Red-Shifts in Nebular Spectra and Scientific Practice

Abstract

IN a recent issue of NATURE1, Dr. K. R. Popper discusses various interpretations of the nebular red-shifbs. He asserts that "as basis of a measuring system for cosmological purposes" we may use, for time measurement, "AC (atomic clocks)" or "LC (light clocks)", implying the constancy of atomic frequencies and the velocity of light respectively; and, for space measurement, "MR (material rods)" or "LR (light rods)". Three combinations of these "instruments" are possible: AC + MR; AC + LR; and LC + MR; and Dr. Popper proceeds to show that the corresponding interpretations of the red-shifts are "logically equivalent, and therefore do not describe alternative facts, but the same facts in alternative languages".

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References

  1. NATURE, 145, 69 (1940).

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  2. NATURE, 139, 784 (1937).

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  3. NATURE, 144, 888 (1939).

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DINGLE, H. Red-Shifts in Nebular Spectra and Scientific Practice. Nature 145, 224–225 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/145224c0

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