UZC J224030.2+032131
The picture shows a famous cosmic mirage known as the Einstein Cross, and is a direct visual confirmation of the theory of general relativity. It is one of the best examples of the phenomenon of gravitational lensing — the bending of light by gravity as predicted by Einstein in the early 20th century. In this case, the galaxy’s powerful gravity acts as a lens that bends and amplifies the light from the quasar behind it, producing four images of the distant object.
The quasar, being 11 billion light-years from us in the direction of the constellation of Pegasus, is seen as it was around 11 billion years ago. The galaxy that works as a lens is some ten times closer. The alignment between the two objects is remarkable (within 0.05 arcseconds), which is in part why such a special type of gravitational lensing is observed.
This image is likely the sharpest image of the Einstein Cross ever made, and was produced by Hubble’s Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, and has a field of view of 26 by 26 arcseconds.Relevantní obrázky
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Einsteinův křížEinsteinův kříž je kvasar v souhvězdí Pegase, jehož zdánlivá podoba je výsledkem gravitačního čočkování galaxie ZW 2237+030, která je označována jako Huchrova čočka. Výsledkem tohoto jevu jsou čtyři zesílené obrazy kvasaru rozmístěné ve tvaru kříže kolem centra, v němž se nachází čočkující galaxie. .. pokračovat ve čtení