A gravitational lens occurs when the gravity of a massive object bends the path of light from a more distant source located behind it. This bending results from the warping of spacetime, as predicted by Einstein’s General Relativity [Einstein_1936]. In 1937, Fritz Zwicky proposed that entire galaxies or galaxy clusters could serve as gravitational lenses, … Continue reading What is a Gravitational Lens?
Astronomers have long marveled at the strange and beautiful phenomena that unfold across the cosmos, and the “Cheshire Cat” group of galaxies is no exception. Named for its resemblance to the iconic grinning feline from Alice in Wonderland, this galactic ensemble showcases the bizarre and wondrous effects of gravitational lensing — a striking consequence of Einstein’s … Continue reading The Cosmic Smile of the Cheshire Cat
The concept that gravity can bend light was once revolutionary—Einstein’s general relativity predicted it, but the world needed proof. That proof came during a solar eclipse in 1919, and it opened the door to one of the most elegant phenomena in astrophysics: gravitational lensing. Today, these cosmic distortions don’t just prove Einstein right—they reveal some … Continue reading Gravitational Lenses: From Proof to Beauty
The AGEL Survey team has just announced their second major data release—AGEL DR2—unveiling 138 confirmed strong gravitational lenses, up from 77 in their 2022 release. This diverse sample spans galaxy-scale to group and cluster lenses, including striking Einstein rings and rare systems like double-source plane lenses, which are especially valuable for cosmology. These lenses were first … Continue reading AGEL Survey Data Release 2: Expanding the Gravitational Lens Frontier
Researchers confirmed the existence of three new gravitationally lensed quasars using data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP). These lensed quasars are interesting phenomena where the immense gravitational pull of a foreground galaxy bends and magnifies the light of the more distant quasar, creating multiple images of it. This discovery includes systems with … Continue reading Confirmation of Three Gravitationally Lensed Quasars
The paper “Non-coplanar gravitational lenses and the ‘communication bridge’” by Viktor T. Toth explores the concept of using multiple gravitational lenses aligned along a central axis to potentially enhance light amplification, a concept referred to as the “gravitational lens bridge.” The study employs various methodologies, including photon mapping and wave theory, to assess whether double-lens … Continue reading Is a Double Lens System Better?