Credit & Copyright: NASA, HST, WFPC2, W. Couch (UNSW)
Explanation:
Sometimes one of the largest concentrations of mass known can act like a lens.
Almost all of the bright objects in this image are galaxies in the cluster
known as Abell 2218. The cluster is so massive and so compact that it bends
light from galaxies that lie behind it, causing many of them to appear as
stretched out arcs. Many dim, elongated arcs are visible on this photograph.
This picture was taken with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on board the
Hubble Space Telescope.
For more information about this picture see the Space Telescope Scientific Institute's press release.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Abell 2218
Publications with words: Abell 2218
See also: