Interpreting Gravitational Lensing Images?

AI Thread Summary
Gravitational lensing (GL) involves the bending of light due to gravity, resulting in distorted images of distant objects. The discussion highlights a need for accessible interpretations of GL images, as existing resources often delve into complex mathematics. The user seeks a simplified guide or annotations to better understand these phenomena. Stefans Quintet is mentioned as a notable example of GL effects. A potential resource identified is the book "Einstein's Telescope," which may provide the desired clarity on the topic.
solarblast
Messages
146
Reaction score
2
I recently stumbled on the topic of gravitational lensing (GL) via an article in the Nov. 2001 issue of Sci Am magazine. I've since Googled the topic, and slightly enhanced my understanding of it. So far none of what I've read seems to interpret the resulting images. That is, they briefly describe what I'm looking at. Is there a source that annotates the images? I've seen a few descriptions that gives some mathematics about the images, but the math is a bit beyond my reach. I really want to know what I'm looking at. Sort of GL for dummies.
 
Space news on Phys.org
Gravitational lensing is the optical equivalent of light bending under the influence of gravity. It refracts and distorts images. See Stefans Quintet for an example.
 
I think I've found a book that suits what I'm after. Einstein's Telescope.
 

Thread 'Matter density right after the decoupling'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recombination_(cosmology) Was a matter density right after the decoupling low enough to consider the vacuum as the actual vacuum, and not the medium through which the light propagates with the speed lower than ##({\epsilon_0\mu_0})^{-1/2}##? I'm asking this in context of the calculation of the observable universe radius, where the time integral of the inverse of the scale factor is multiplied by the constant speed of light ##c##.
View full post »

Thread 'Rutgers finds a transparent Einstein Cross - apparently a dark matter "halo".'

The formal paper is here. The Rutgers University news has published a story about an image being closely examined at their New Brunswick campus. Here is an excerpt: Computer modeling of the gravitational lens by Keeton and Eid showed that the four visible foreground galaxies causing the gravitational bending couldn’t explain the details of the five-image pattern. Only with the addition of a large, invisible mass, in this case, a dark matter halo, could the model match the observations...
View full post »

Thread 'Big Bang and Infinite Universe'

Hi, I’m pretty new to cosmology and I’m trying to get my head around the Big Bang and the potential infinite extent of the universe as a whole. There’s lots of misleading info out there but this forum and a few others have helped me and I just wanted to check I have the right idea. The Big Bang was the creation of space and time. At this instant t=0 space was infinite in size but the scale factor was zero. I’m picturing it (hopefully correctly) like an excel spreadsheet with infinite...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Lensing Gravitational Waves Like Light?
Replies
4
Views
2K
I Some questions about Cosmic Microwave Background radiation
Replies
13
Views
6K
What is the mathematical concept behind the shear in gravitational lensing?
Replies
1
Views
2K
I New Paper Claims Primordial Black Holes Don't Explain Dark Matter
Replies
20
Views
4K
Is There a Need for a Hard Sci-Fi Magazine Focused on Real Ideas?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Studying What Are the Best Steps for Self-Teaching Theoretical Physics?
Replies
14
Views
3K
Admissions Latebloomer with many past mistakes applying to graduate school
Replies
9
Views
2K
The book 'Gravitation' and supporting materials
Replies
10
Views
4K
Admissions Phyics REU personal statement critiques?
Replies
6
Views
3K
I Adjoint Representation Confusion
Replies
3
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top