Humason

Definition

Milton Humason was an American astronomer who played a crucial role in providing observational evidence for the expanding universe. Working with Edwin Hubble, he measured the redshifts of galaxies, establishing the relationship between redshift and distance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Humason collaborated with Edwin Hubble on key observations that led to the formulation of Hubble's Law.
2. He initially started his career as a mule driver before becoming an astronomer at Mount Wilson Observatory.
3. Humason's precise measurements of galaxy redshifts provided critical data supporting the concept of an expanding universe.
4. Despite lacking formal education in astronomy, Humason's contributions were pivotal in early extragalactic astronomy.
5. Humason and Hubble's work demonstrated that more distant galaxies are moving away faster, indicating cosmic expansion.

Review Questions

• What role did Milton Humason play in the discovery of the expanding universe?
• How did Milton Humason contribute to Hubble's Law?
• Why is Milton Humason considered significant despite his lack of formal education in astronomy?

Related terms

Edwin Hubble: An American astronomer who formulated Hubble's Law and discovered that the universe is expanding.

Redshift: The phenomenon where light from distant galaxies shifts towards longer wavelengths as they move away from us.

Hubble's Law: The observation that the recessional velocity of galaxies is proportional to their distance from Earth, implying an expanding universe.