Can Gravitational Lensing Cause a Star to Appear Twice Simultaneously?

In summary: I do not remember the TV programme or the name, but it was likely some years ago and it showed a star being seen at two different points in the sky at the same time.
  • #1
Nickelodeon
181
1
Gravitational lensing displaces the apparent direction of a star outwards away from a gravitational source. Do you think it would be possible to see the same star at least twice simultaneously, one either side of this gravitational source?
Even more likely, if the gravitational source was great enough, I would have thought that you would see a halo.

Nick
 
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  • #2
Nickelodeon said:
Gravitational lensing displaces the apparent direction of a star outwards away from a gravitational source. Do you think it would be possible to see the same star at least twice simultaneously, one either side of this gravitational source?
Even more likely, if the gravitational source was great enough, I would have thought that you would see a halo.

Nick

You would and such haloes have been seen when there's a nearby galaxy in front of a more distant one. The light has to come from almost immediately on the line of sight between the the intervening mass and the observer. A light source a bit to the side just appears as an arc of light.
 
  • #3
qraal said:
You would and such haloes have been seen when there's a nearby galaxy in front of a more distant one. The light has to come from almost immediately on the line of sight between the the intervening mass and the observer. A light source a bit to the side just appears as an arc of light.

amazing - thanks for that.
 
  • #4
Nickelodeon said:
Gravitational lensing displaces the apparent direction of a star outwards away from a gravitational source. Do you think it would be possible to see the same star at least twice simultaneously, one either side of this gravitational source?
Even more likely, if the gravitational source was great enough, I would have thought that you would see a halo.

Nick

Yyyyyyep. Called an Einstein Ring. Google away...
 
  • #5
I've seen a TV programme demonstrating the same star seen at two (near) points in the sky at the same time.
 
  • #6
HSTgravlens.jpg
 
  • #7
seb7 said:
I've seen a TV programme demonstrating the same star seen at two (near) points in the sky at the same time.

Do you remember what the TV programme was called and when it was shown?
 

1. What is gravitational lensing?

Gravitational lensing is a phenomenon in which the gravitational force of a massive object, such as a galaxy or a cluster of galaxies, bends the path of light from a distant object behind it. This creates a distorted or magnified image of the distant object, similar to how a lens bends light in a telescope.

2. How does gravitational lensing occur?

Gravitational lensing occurs because of the gravitational force of massive objects. As light travels through the universe, it follows a straight path, but when it passes close to a massive object, the gravitational force causes it to bend and follow a curved path. This bending of light creates the distorted or magnified images we see in gravitational lensing.

3. What causes the magnification in gravitational lensing?

The magnification in gravitational lensing is caused by the distortion of spacetime near massive objects. This distortion causes the light passing through it to bend and converge, resulting in an amplified or magnified image of the background object. The amount of magnification depends on the mass and distribution of the lensing object and the alignment between the background object, the lensing object, and the observer.

4. How is gravitational lensing used in research?

Gravitational lensing is used in research to study the properties of massive objects, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies, that would otherwise be difficult to observe. By analyzing the distortion and magnification of the images created by gravitational lensing, scientists can determine the mass and distribution of the lensing object, as well as the properties of the background object. This can provide valuable insights into the structure and evolution of the universe.

5. Can gravitational lensing be used to see objects that are otherwise invisible?

Yes, gravitational lensing can be used to see objects that are otherwise invisible. This is because the magnification caused by gravitational lensing can amplify the light from distant objects that would otherwise be too faint to detect. For example, gravitational lensing has been used to detect and study distant galaxies and even the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is the remnant of the Big Bang.

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