Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Astronomy > January 1997

microlensing

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | 479 words | Copyright

microlensing A small-scale gravitational lens effect. In microlensing, the gravitational field of the lensing object is not strong enough to form distinct images of the background source; instead, it causes an apparent brightening of the source. Stars are expected to vary in brightness in a characteristic manner if low-mass stars or planets pass in front of them, and this effect has been detected for stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud and in the central bulge of our Galaxy.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"microlensing." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"microlensing." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-microlensing.html

"microlensing." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-microlensing.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: