Wide-band relativistic Doppler effect visualization

Abstract

One of the most visible aspects of special relativity is the relativistic Doppler effect --- the dependence of observed radiation wavelengths upon the velocity of the source and the viewing conditions.In this paper, we present a flexible and efficient method to simulate the Doppler shift. This new method has the following features:• Surface properties and light composition are represented by splines as functions of wavelength. The entire electromagnetic (EM) spectrum can therefore be represented efficiently.• Doppler shift and shading operations are performed through the manipulation of spline coefficients. The evaluation of the spline functions is carried out at the end of each shading loop to generate the display R, G, B values.This method simplifies the management of the shift and reduces the calculations necessary to maintain a spectral description of lights and surfaces.The study of astrophysical phenomenon, which are being color-shifted by individual recession velocity and by the expansion of the universe, requires the use of knowledge about the Doppler effect. Our simulations may contribute visual insight and understanding that enhances such knowledge.