Gravitational Lensing: Magnification of Galaxies

In summary, the question of how much light would bend when passing near a Milky Way-sized galaxy cannot be answered definitively as it depends on various factors such as the distance of the light and the mass of the galaxy. However, using a model from Hartle's Introduction to General Relativity, an estimate of 1.7 seconds of arc can be obtained for a light ray grazing the Sun. Further calculations for the Milky Way would require a more complex approach due to its irregular shape.
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Mikael17
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How many time does a galaxy (same size as our milkyway) magnified the background ?
How many time does a galaxy (same size as our milkyway) magnified the background ?
 
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  • #2
Um...once?

This is impossible to answer. "How strong is a glass lens"?
 
  • #3
It doesn't magnify at all, because it's an absolutely terrible lens. It's not even circularly symmetric, so you usually get up to four distorted and displaced copies of whatever is in the background.
 
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  • #4
OK, how much would light then bend , when passing nearby a milkyway size galaxy ?
 
  • #5
Depends how far away the light is and it depends how massive the galaxy is more than its size. There isn't really a single answer to this question.

Why are you asking? Perhaps if you have a less general question we can be more helpful.
 
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  • #6
Mikael17 said:
OK, how much would light then bend , when passing nearby a milkyway size galaxy ?
In Hartle's Introduction to General Relativity, he studies the deflection of light for a spherical mass in chapter 9. The estimate is ##1.7## seconds of arc for a light ray grazing the Sun. There would be less deflection for a light ray further from the Sun. In other words, it depends on the mass of the Sun and the impact parameter.

The calculation for the Milky Way would be considerably more complex, as it is not a neat spherical mass. A good project for a computer model, perhaps.
 
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1. What is gravitational lensing?

Gravitational lensing is a phenomenon in which the gravitational force of a massive object, such as a galaxy, bends the path of light from a distant object. This results in the distant object appearing distorted or magnified to an observer on Earth.

2. How does gravitational lensing magnify galaxies?

Gravitational lensing magnifies galaxies by bending the path of light from the galaxy, causing it to appear larger and brighter to an observer on Earth. This occurs when the light from the distant galaxy passes near a massive object, such as a galaxy cluster, which acts as a lens due to its strong gravitational pull.

3. What causes gravitational lensing?

Gravitational lensing is caused by the warping of space-time by massive objects. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, massive objects create a curvature in space-time, and this curvature can affect the path of light passing near the object.

4. How is gravitational lensing used in astronomy?

Gravitational lensing is used in astronomy to study distant objects that would otherwise be too faint or small to observe. By magnifying these objects, scientists can gather more information about their properties, such as their size, mass, and composition.

5. Can gravitational lensing affect our view of the entire universe?

Yes, gravitational lensing can affect our view of the entire universe. It can distort the images of distant galaxies, making them appear larger or more elongated than they actually are. This can make it challenging for scientists to accurately measure the properties of these galaxies and understand the structure of the universe as a whole.

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