著者

藤田 康元

出版者

日本科学史学会

雑誌

科学史研究 (ISSN:21887535)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.39, no.213, pp.11-19, 2000 (Released:2021-08-23)

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Edwin Powell Hubble is famous for the discovery of the linear relation between nebulae distances and redshifts, and he is often referred to as a discoverer of "the expanding universe". In fact the relation was received as an empirical evidence for the theory of expanding universe by many scientists within a few year after Hubble had showed it in his 1929's paper. However Hubble never regarded it as self-evident that nebulae redshifts were caused by Doppler effect of nebulae recession. In principle redshift can be produced if light quanta lose energy by some unknown mechanisms on their path from nebulae to us (tired light hypothesis). Hubble never supported only one side of interpretations of redshift, and claimed whether nebulae were actually receding or not must be solved by observation. Moreover,, with R. C. Tolman, Hubble elaborated methods of investigating the nature of the nebulae redshift. Why was he so careful? Hubble often stated his empiric view of science such as agreement is secured by means of observation and experiment. In this respect he sharply contrasted with Arthur Eddington who was a Hubble's comtemporary and enthusiast for the theory of expanding universe. We, however, can not make his empiricism substancial as a unique cause of his careful attitude. We need to see wider context of Hubble's scientific activity. First he had a tool for solving the problem. A new telescope was being constructed in the 1930's. And he played a social role to present scientific problems the 200 inch reflector should challenge. In this strategic context, Hubble shaped the nature of redshifts as one of the major unsolved problems. In that process he used resources such as "tired light hypothesis", a cosmic age contradiction, empirical view of science, new telescope it self. Conversely, the redshifts problem was used as a resource justifying the construction of the 200 inch. These resources can be seen as constraints at the same time which canalized Hubble's activities to a certain direction.

著者

藤田 康元

雑誌

東京電機大学総合文化研究 = Bulletin of Tokyo Denki University, Arts and Sciences (ISSN:1348799X)

巻号頁・発行日

no.17, pp.69-78, 2019-11-17