CNPS 2015: Raymond H. Gallucci: Questioning the Cosmological Doppler Red-Shift

My goal in this paper is not to resolve which "tired light" theory is most plausible, but to cast doubt on the traditional explanation of a cosmological Doppler red-shift due to universe expansion. A "Galilean" Doppler red-shift may be an equally plausible explanation for those who adhere to the premise of stars, galaxies, etc., "receding" for whatever reason. Various theories, such as gravitational "de-energization," Compton scattering, "dust" absorption-re-emission," quantum electro-dynamical interactions, are among many that have been proposed. All reduce the light energy, which can be viewed traditionally as a decrease in frequency with (traditionally) or without ("Galileanly") a corresponding increase in wavelength. Either way, a red-shift (non-Doppler) occurs.

I do not believe in an expanding universe or even rapidly receding stars, galaxies, etc. Assuming no form of matter, especially a reasonably macroscopic and tenuous one like a star, let alone an entire galaxy, could possibly travel at speeds approaching that of light and remain "intact," the only possible way for such an entity to exhibit recession speeds approaching that of light would be for space itself to be expanding. And whether one accepts the traditional or "Galilean" Doppler red-shift as the correct explanation, one is still left to conclude that "something" is "racing away." Therefore, I believe the "correct" explanation for the "apparent" expansion of the universe is one of the various "tired light" theories (or one yet to be proposed), whereby light's interaction with interstellar and/or intergalactic media reduces its energy, resulting in a non-Doppler red-shift.