Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Gravitational Lensing: Light Bent by Massive Objects
- Gravitational lensing occurs when massive objects like galaxies bend the path of light.
- Einstein’s theory of general relativity predicted this cosmic light-bending.
- Massive objects warp spacetime, curving the routes that light must follow.
- Lensing can magnify distant galaxies, acting like a natural cosmic telescope.
- Strong lensing creates multiple images, arcs, or even “Einstein rings” of background objects.
- Weak lensing subtly distorts galaxy shapes, helping map invisible dark matter.
- Microlensing happens when stars or planets briefly brighten as they pass in front of another star.
- The first gravitational lens was confirmed in 1979 with twin images of a distant quasar.
- Astronomers use lensing to study galaxies too faint or far to see directly.
- Gravitational lensing provides one of the best tools for probing dark energy and the structure of the universe.