False colour radio image of the Einstein Ring MG1654+1346. This consists of a quasar (cross at centre frame) billion light years (ly) distant, wit

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False colour radio image of the Einstein Ring MG1654+1346. This consists of a quasar (cross at centre frame) billion light years (ly) distant, with an elliptical galaxy (cross at lower right) billion ly distant. The galaxy is not detected in radio wavelengths. The immense mass of the galaxy causes radio waves from the lower radio lobe of the quasar to be distorted by gravitational lensing, where the gravity field is strong enough to 'bend' light travelling around it. This forms the phenomenon known as an Einstein Ring. The upper radio lobe is seen at top left.

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Size: 3265px × 2935px
Photo credit: © DR GLEN I. LANGSTON ET AL, NRAO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: astronomy, cosmology, einstein, gravitational, imagery, lens, mg1654+1346, nrao, ring, science