The Einstein Cross Gravitational Lens
Explanation:
Most galaxies have a single nucleus -- does this galaxy have four?
The strange answer leads
astronomers
to conclude that the nucleus of the surrounding galaxy is not even visible in
this image.
The central
cloverleaf is rather light emitted from a background
quasar.
The gravitational field of the visible foreground galaxy
breaks light
from this distant
quasar
into four distinct images.
The quasar must be
properly aligned behind the center of a massive galaxy for a
mirage like this to be evident.
The general effect is known as
gravitational lensing, and this specific case is known as the
Einstein Cross.
Stranger still, the images of the
Einstein Cross vary in relative brightness,
enhanced occasionally by the additional
gravitational microlensing
effect of specific stars in the foreground galaxy.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
