Do the fundamental constants change with time?

Nissim Kanekar
Ramanujan Fellow, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, University of Pune campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India

Abstract. Comparisons between the redshifts of multiple spectral transitions from distant galaxies provide a sensitive probe of secular changes in fundamental constants like the fine structure constant and the proton-electron mass ratio. This article discusses the pros and cons of the various techniques that have been used to test for such changes, and summarizes the current status of the field and the directions for progress with upcoming radio and optical telescopes.

Keywords: line: profiles -- techniques: spectroscopic -- radio lines

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