Hi. I've found some sources that refere to the "proper velocity of Quasars" as being on the order of 5200c. I'm assuming that an astrophysist would not mean this as being faster then the speed of light. Is it still a mystery or a misinterpretation?

Here's the link I was sent by a little birdie
http://home.achilles.net/~jtalbot/V1982/NewMotion.html

I imagine that the quasar has got a proper motion though space.
It cannot move faster than light-speed.
But the red shift figure is the rate of expansion of SPACE .
I think that there is not a speed limit to the expansion of space. (eg. big-bang super-inflation).

Hmph... seems the page vanished

"Superluminal motion" is the name given to a class of objects with radio jets aimed nearly directly at us. When the angle between a jet and our line-of-sight is small, relativistic beaming can make the jet appear to move faster than light.

It's really just a 'relativistic illusion.'

http://www.sunspot.noao.edu/sunspot/pr/answerbook/expl-8.html

BTW, if were to discover not one but TWO superluminal jets going in opposite directions, it'd spell serious trouble for relativity. We've discovered plenty of superluminal jets, but in every case the opposing jet is not superluminal.

- Warren

Thanks chroot.

how do we know the redshift is not just an illusion?

There is a probability that the redshift is an illusion.
But MOST of our evidence (and theories) points to a direct connection of the expansion of space and the shifting of the light spectrum.

It is good to have a open mind. but not so open that it becomes a seive... :)

Although it would save a step when making spagetti.

hum,
i`ll assume that it wasn`t a tasteless remark, and that it had some concoction with STRING theory?