B Gravitational Lensing: Magnification of Galaxies

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The discussion on gravitational lensing highlights the complexity of magnifying galaxies, particularly those the size of the Milky Way. It emphasizes that the effectiveness of a galaxy as a lens depends on its mass and the distance of the light source, rather than just its size. Light bending around such galaxies can lead to multiple distorted images rather than a single magnified view. The conversation references Hartle's work on light deflection, noting that calculations for the Milky Way would require advanced modeling due to its irregular shape. Overall, the topic reveals that there is no straightforward answer to the magnification of galaxies.
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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Um...once?

This is impossible to answer. "How strong is a glass lens"?
 
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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OK, how much would light then bend , when passing nearby a milkyway size galaxy ?
 
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.
 
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.
 
Moderator's note: Spin-off from another thread due to topic change. In the second link referenced, there is a claim about a physical interpretation of frame field. Consider a family of observers whose worldlines fill a region of spacetime. Each of them carries a clock and a set of mutually orthogonal rulers. Each observer points in the (timelike) direction defined by its worldline's tangent at any given event along it. What about the rulers each of them carries ? My interpretation: each...

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