Gravitational lensing and diffraction patterns

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the relationship between gravitational lensing and diffraction patterns, specifically questioning whether different wavelengths of electromagnetic waves, such as x-rays, microwaves, and infrared, are bent differently by gravitational fields. It also considers the scenarios of light passing near binary stars versus a single star.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if gravitational lensing causes diffraction patterns similar to those from slit diffraction, suggesting that different wavelengths might be bent differently.
  • Another participant asserts that all electromagnetic waves are bent by the same amount in a gravitational field, regardless of their speed or wavelength.
  • A participant notes that gravitational lensing results in a diffused or blurry image, indicating that light closer to a massive object is bent more than light that passes at a greater distance.
  • A later reply reiterates the point about blurriness and suggests that x-rays and microwaves are bent the same amount at specific distances, questioning the applicability of this to personal vision issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains competing views regarding whether different wavelengths experience different bending due to gravitational lensing, and it remains unresolved whether diffraction patterns are produced in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of their claims regarding the dependence on distance from the mass and the definitions of diffraction patterns in this context.

mossek
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Does gravitational lensing cause diffraction patterns, such as those seen by single, double, etc slit diffraction? In other words, would x-rays from object X get bent "less" than say microwaves or infrared? Would this happen if the light was passing between binary stars only, or could it potentially happen around a single star such as our own?
 
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All electromagnetic waves are bent by the same amount by a gravitational field. A massive object traveling very close to c would be bent by the same amount too.
 
Gravitational lensing does produce a somewhat diffused/blury imaging as light closer to the mass is bent more than light passing a greater distance.
 
Naty1 said:
Gravitational lensing does produce a somewhat diffused/blury imaging as light closer to the mass is bent more than light passing a greater distance.

I probably can't use that as an excuse for my glasses, though. Bummer.

BUT - it bends x-rays at x distance the same as microwaves at x distance, and vice-versa for both at y distance, right?
 

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