Einstein Cross
Encyclopedia
The Einstein Cross or Q2237+030 or QSO 2237+0305 is a gravitationally lensed quasar
that sits directly behind ZW 2237+030, Huchra's Lens
. Four images of the same distant quasar appear around a foreground galaxy due to strong gravitational lensing.
The quasar is located about 8 billion light years from Earth, while the lensing galaxy is located at a distance of 400 million light years.
The apparent dimension of this galaxy is 0,87x0,34 arcminutes, while the apparent dimension of the cross in its center accounts for only 1,6x1,6 arcseconds.
The Einstein Cross can be found in Pegasus
at 22h40m30.3s +3d21m31s.
The individual images are labelled A through D (i.e. QSO 2237+0305 A), the lensing galaxy is sometimes referred to as QSO 2237+0305 G.
Quasar
A quasi-stellar radio source is a very energetic and distant active galactic nucleus. Quasars are extremely luminous and were first identified as being high redshift sources of electromagnetic energy, including radio waves and visible light, that were point-like, similar to stars, rather than...
that sits directly behind ZW 2237+030, Huchra's Lens
Huchra's Lens
Huchra's lens is the lensing galaxy of the Einstein Cross ; it is also called ZW 2237+030 or QSO 2237+0305 G. It exhibits the phenomenon of gravitational lensing that was postulated by Albert Einstein when he realized that gravity would be able to bend light and thus could have lens-like effects....
. Four images of the same distant quasar appear around a foreground galaxy due to strong gravitational lensing.
The quasar is located about 8 billion light years from Earth, while the lensing galaxy is located at a distance of 400 million light years.
The apparent dimension of this galaxy is 0,87x0,34 arcminutes, while the apparent dimension of the cross in its center accounts for only 1,6x1,6 arcseconds.
The Einstein Cross can be found in Pegasus
Pegasus (constellation)
Pegasus is a constellation in the northern sky, named after the winged horse Pegasus in Greek mythology. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern constellations.-Stars:...
at 22h40m30.3s +3d21m31s.
The individual images are labelled A through D (i.e. QSO 2237+0305 A), the lensing galaxy is sometimes referred to as QSO 2237+0305 G.
See also
- Einstein ringEinstein ringIn observational astronomy an Einstein ring is the deformation of the light from a source into a ring through gravitational lensing of the source's light by an object with an extremely large mass . This occurs when the source, lens and observer are all aligned...
(Chwolson ring) - Gravitational lensing
- QuasarQuasarA quasi-stellar radio source is a very energetic and distant active galactic nucleus. Quasars are extremely luminous and were first identified as being high redshift sources of electromagnetic energy, including radio waves and visible light, that were point-like, similar to stars, rather than...
- Cloverleaf QuasarCloverleaf quasarThe Cloverleaf quasar is a bright, gravitationally-lensed quasar.- Quasar :Molecular gas detected in the host galaxy associated with the quasar is the oldest molecular material known and provides evidence of large-scale star formation in the early universe.Thanks to the strong magnification...
- Twin QuasarTwin QuasarThe Twin Quasar , also known as SBS 0957+561, or TXS 0957+561 , was the first identified gravitationally lensed object.-Quasar:...
External links
- Information about Einstein's Cross on Skyhound.com
- Einstein's Cross core
- Einstein's Cross by Jay Reynolds Freeman
- Photo of the Einstein Cross at Astronomy Picture of the DayAstronomy Picture of the DayAstronomy Picture of the Day is a website provided by NASA and Michigan Technological University . According to the website, "Each day a different image or photograph of our universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer."The photograph is not necessarily...
(March 11, 2007) - Google Sky