You Observe a Distant Quasar in Which the Lyman Alpha

question 59

Essay

You observe a distant quasar in which the Lyman alpha line of hydrogen (rest wavelength = 121.6 nm) is found at a wavelength of 547.2 nm. When the light from this quasar was emitted, how large was the universe compared to its current size?

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Definitions:

Temple of Apollo

An ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to Apollo, the god of music, healing, and prophecy.

Didyma

An ancient Greek sanctuary located on the west coast of Turkey, renowned for its temple of Apollo and its prophetic oracle.

Turkey

A country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and significant contributions to art, cuisine, and architecture.

Cella

The chamber at the center of an ancient temple; in a classical temple, the room (Greek, naos) in which the cult statue usually stood.