science

15767 readers

189 users here now

A community to post scientific articles, news, and civil discussion.

rule #1: be kind

<--- rules currently under construction, see current pinned post.

2024-11-11

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

Astronomers Amazed by Perfect 'Einstein Ring' Gleaming in Space (www.sciencealert.com)

submitted 1 day ago by sumguyonline to c/science

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

"An Einstein ring is an example of strong gravitational lensing," says astronomer Conor O'Riordan of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany. "That ish is so damn cool". Says sumguyonline a citizen of the United States of America

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago

An Einstein ring, also known as an Einstein–Chwolson ring or Chwolson ring (named for Orest Chwolson), is created when light from a galaxy or star passes by a massive object en route to the Earth. Due to gravitational lensing, the light is diverted, making it seem to come from different places. If source, lens, and observer are all in perfect alignment (syzygy), the light appears as a ring.

Neat!