blueshift

American  

[bloo-shift] / ˈbluˌʃɪft /

Or blue shift

noun

Astronomy.

1. a shift toward shorter wavelengths of the spectral lines of a celestial object, caused by the motion of the object toward the observer.

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blueshift British  

/ ˈbluːˌʃɪft /

noun

1. a shift in the spectral lines of a stellar spectrum towards the blue end of the visible region relative to the wavelengths of these lines in the terrestrial spectrum: a result of the Doppler effect caused by stars approaching the solar system Compare redshift

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Etymology

Origin of blueshift

First recorded in 1950–55; blue + shift

Compare meaning

How does blueshift compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• redshift vs. blueshift