The Einstein Cross

The Einstein Cross and the galaxy that causes this 'cosmic mirage', as seen with the FORS instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope. This cross-shaped configuration consists of four images of a single very distant source. The multiple images are a result of gravitational lensing by a foreground galaxy, an effect that was predicted by Albert Einstein as a consequence of his theory of general relativity. The light source in the Einstein Cross is a quasar approximately ten billion light-years away, whereas the foreground lensing galaxy is ten times closer. The light from the quasar is bent in its path and magnified by the gravitational field of the lensing galaxy.

Credit:

ESO/F. Courbin et al

Over de afbeelding

Id:eso0847a
Type:Observatie
Publicatiedatum:12 december 2008
Gerelateerde berichten:eso0847
Grootte:1024 x 1024 px

Over het object

Naam:Einstein Cross, Gravitational Microlensing
Type:Unspecified : Galaxy : Activity : AGN : Quasar
Unspecified : Galaxy : Type : Gravitationally Lensed
Constellation:Pegasus
Categorie:Quasars and Black Holes

Image Formats

Grote JPEG
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Wallpapers

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Coordinates

Position (RA):22 40 30.30
Position (Dec):3° 21' 30.38"
Field of view:1.70 x 1.70 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° left of vertical

Kleuren & filters

BandTelescoop
OptischVery Large Telescope
FORS1