The contribution of VM Slipher to the discovery of the expanding universe [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1212.5499


A brief history of the discovery of the expanding universe is presented, with an emphasis on the seminal contribution of VM Slipher. It is suggested that the well-known Hubble graph of 1929 could also be known as the Hubble-Slipher graph. It is also argued that the discovery of the expanding universe matches the traditional view of scientific advance as a gradual process of discovery and acceptance, and does not concur with the Kuhnian view of science progressing via abrupt paradigm shifts.

Read this paper on arXiv…

C. Raifeartaigh
Fri, 25 Jul 14
47/57

Comments: 13 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in the proceedings of the conference “Origins of the Expanding Universe: 1912-1932”, M. J. Way & D. Hunter, eds., ASP Conf. Ser., Vol. 471 in press