Science
Vesto Melvin Slipher
Astronomer and galaxy-spectrum observer
Also known as Vesto Slipher
Who they are
Vesto Melvin Slipher measured the spectra and radial velocities of objects then described as spiral nebulae. His observations supplied much of the redshift material later used in discussions of cosmic expansion. The timeline preserves this observational credit alongside the theoretical and distance-measurement work associated with Lemaître and Hubble.
His measurements form part of the evidence behind the development of an expanding-universe account.
Selected contributions
Selected works
Archival document · 1917
Spectrographic investigation of spiral nebulae, 1917
Lowell’s catalogue identifies Slipher’s manuscript on spectrographic investigation of spiral nebulae, associated with the American Philosophical Society. It provides a route to the observational record behind later discussions of galaxy motions.
April 17, 1917 is the archival item date. The catalogue, rather than the manuscript text, was inspected.
Reading scope & citation
Catalogue title, creator, manuscript description, date and identifier VMS_MS_B15_F1.pdf. Catalogue only; the manuscript text was not displayed or read. The April date is the archival item date, not an independently verified publication date.
In the timeline
Biography sources
- Carnegie Science celebrates Edwin Hubble’s discovery of the universe ↗Carnegie Science
- Spectrographic investigation of spiral nebulae, 1917 ↗Lowell Observatory Archives