|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
gravitational lens
gravitational lens An effect in which light rays are bent by the gravitational field of a massive object, such as a galaxy or black hole. The Sun produces a slight gravitational lens effect (see gravitational deflection), but on cosmological scales the effect is seen as the formation of double or multiple images of a distant galaxy or quasar by a foreground object (as in, for example, the Einstein Cross). More complicated lensing effects also occur, including the formation of Einstein rings, luminous arcs, and microlensing.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"gravitational lens." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gravitational lens." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-gravitationallens.html "gravitational lens." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-gravitationallens.html |
|
lens, gravitational
lens, gravitational See gravitational lens.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"lens, gravitational." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lens, gravitational." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-lensgravitational.html "lens, gravitational." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-lensgravitational.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
