The K correction
Abstract
The K correction "corrects" for the fact that sources observed at different redshifts are, in general, compared with standards or each other at different rest-frame wavelengths. It is part of the relation between the emitted- or rest-frame absolute magnitude of a source in one broad photometric bandpass to the observed-frame apparent magnitude of the same source in another broad bandpass. This short pedagogical paper provides definitions of and equations for the K correction.
0
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.