Can a Gravity Lens Loop Amplify Distant Objects in Space?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion explores a thought experiment involving two optical mirrors positioned around the sun to utilize gravitational lensing for amplifying distant objects. It suggests that Mirror A would reflect light from extrasolar objects to Mirror B, which would then reflect it back, theoretically amplifying the image. However, participants clarify that gravitational lensing does not magnify objects but merely bends light paths, preventing focused amplification. The concept requires further elaboration, as the proposed method may not function as intended. Overall, the feasibility of using mirrors in this manner remains questionable.
Pronoein
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Thought experiment.

Imagine building two optical mirrors around the sun an astrophysical body of the right mass, lined and diametrically opposed, at the right distance so that the sun is acting as a gravitational lens.

Mirror A reflects the light from any extrasolar object and directs it to mirror B.
Because of lensing, the image arrives amplified.
Mirror B reflects the light back to A, so the image is again amplified.
And so on.

Would it work?
 
Last edited:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Pronoein said:
Thought experiment.

Imagine building two optical mirrors around the sun, lined and diametrically opposed, at the right distance so that the sun is acting as a gravitational lens.
What do the mirrors have to do with gravitational lensing?

Gravitational lensing does not magnify objects; it simply bends the path of light from them. It does not bend them in a way that can bring an image to focus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_lens
 
The mirrors are here to direct the light.

From your source: «The lensing effect can magnify and distort the image of the background source.»
 
Pronoein said:
The mirrors are here to direct the light.

From your source: «The lensing effect can magnify and distort the image of the background source.»

I think you'd need to elaborate on your plan. I don't think it'll work the way you think it will.
 
Is a homemade radio telescope realistic? There seems to be a confluence of multiple technologies that makes the situation better than when I was a wee lad: software-defined radio (SDR), the easy availability of satellite dishes, surveillance drives, and fast CPUs. Let's take a step back - it is trivial to see the sun in radio. An old analog TV, a set of "rabbit ears" antenna, and you're good to go. Point the antenna at the sun (i.e. the ears are perpendicular to it) and there is...
Back
Top