Concept information
Preferred term
Gravitational lensing
Definition
- A concentration of matter, such as a galaxy or a cluster of galaxies, that bends light rays from a background object, resulting in production of multiple images. If the two objects and the Earth are perfectly aligned, the light from the distant object appears as a ring from Earth. This is called an Einstein Ring, since its existence was predicted by Einstein in his theory of general relativity. (en)
Broader concept
- General relativity (en)
Narrower concepts
- Caustic curve (en)
- Critical curve (en)
- Einstein rings (en)
- Gravitational lensing shear (en)
- Gravitational microlensing (en)
- Strong gravitational lensing (en)
- Weak gravitational lensing (en)
Entry terms
- Gravitational lens (en)
URI
http://astrothesaurus.org/uat/670
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