Gravitational lensing of distant star-forming galaxies (schematic)

This schematic image shows how light from a distant galaxy is distorted by the gravitational effects of a foreground galaxy, which acts like a lens and makes the distant source appear distorted, but magnified, forming characteristic rings of light, known as Einstein rings. An analysis of the distortion of SDP.81 caused by this effect has revealed star-forming clumps of matter.