Relativistic beaming

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In physics, relativistic beaming (also known as Doppler beaming, Doppler boosting, or the headlight effect) is the process by which relativistic effects modify the apparent luminosity of matter that is moving at speeds close to the speed of light. Relativistic beaming causes matter moving towards an observer—for example, a telescope on Earth—to appear brighter than matter moving away, even when there is no intrinsic difference in the luminosities. In an astronomical context, relativistic beaming commonly occurs in two oppositely directed relativistic jets of plasma that originate from a central compact object that is accreting matter. Accreting compact objects with relativistic jets explain phenomena such as X-ray binaries, gamma-ray bursts, and, on a much larger scale, active galactic nuclei (AGN; of which quasars are a particular variety). Beaming affects the apparent brightness of a moving object. If an object emitting electromagnetic radiation moves towards the observer, it will be...

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