What is a gravitational lens?
Quick Answer
A gravitational lens is a massive object that bends light from a more distant source behind it. It can magnify, distort, or produce multiple images of the background object.
The Full Story
Gravitational lensing is a prediction of Einstein’s general relativity, which says mass curves spacetime. When a galaxy or cluster lies along the line of sight, its gravity can bend and focus light from more distant galaxies or quasars. Strong lensing can create arcs, rings, or multiple images, while weak lensing causes subtle distortions. Astronomers use lensing to map dark matter and observe very distant objects. This effect has become a powerful tool in modern astrophysics.
Key Facts
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"A cosmic magnifying glass can warp and multiply the light of distant galaxies"
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