Blueshift vs. Redshift

Blueshiftnoun

(physics) A change in the wavelength of light, in which the wavelength is shorter than when it was emitted at the source.

Blueshift

A blueshift is any decrease in wavelength (increase in energy), with a corresponding increase in frequency, of an electromagnetic wave. In visible light, this shifts a color towards the blue end of the spectrum.

Redshiftnoun

(physics) A change in the wavelength of light, in which the wavelength is longer than when it was emitted at the source.

Redshiftnoun

(US politics) The statistical bias towards Republican (or Blue Dog) candidates of US federal elections whose reported results vary considerably from those indicated by voter exit polls.

Redshift

In physics, a redshift is an increase in the wavelength, and corresponding decrease in the frequency and photon energy, of electromagnetic radiation (such as light). The opposite change, a decrease in wavelength and simultaneous increase in frequency and energy, is known as a negative redshift, or blueshift.