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Consequently, a gravitational lens has no single focal point, but a focal line. The term "lens" in the context of gravitational light deflection was first used by O. J. Lodge, who remarked that it is "not permissible to say that the solar gravitational field acts like a lens, for it has no focal length". [11]
While gravitational lensing preserves surface brightness, as dictated by Liouville's theorem, lensing does change the apparent solid angle of a source. The amount of magnification is given by the ratio of the image area to the source area. For a circularly symmetric lens, the magnification factor μ is given by
Solar gravitational lens point, on a logarithmic scale. A solar gravitational lens or solar gravity lens (SGL) is a theoretical method of using the Sun as a large lens with a physical effect called gravitational lensing. [1] It is considered one of the best methods to directly image habitable exoplanets.
For a source right behind the lens, θ S = 0, the lens equation for a point mass gives a characteristic value for θ 1 that is called the Einstein angle, denoted θ E. When θ E is expressed in radians, and the lensing source is sufficiently far away, the Einstein Radius, denoted R E, is given by =. [2]
FOCAL (an acronym for Fast Outgoing Cyclopean Astronomical Lens) is a proposed space telescope that would use the Sun as a gravity lens.The gravitational lens effect was first derived by Albert Einstein, [1] and the concept of a mission to the solar gravitational lens was first suggested by professor Von Eshleman, [2] and analyzed further by Italian astronomer Claudio Maccone [3] and others.
An Einstein Ring is a special case of gravitational lensing, caused by the exact alignment of the source, lens, and observer. This results in symmetry around the lens, causing a ring-like structure. [2] The geometry of a complete Einstein ring, as caused by a gravitational lens. The size of an Einstein ring is given by the Einstein radius.
As electromagnetic rays are affected by gravitation, when they pass by a heavy mass they are bent. As a result, the heavy mass acts as a form of gravitational lens. If the light source, the gravitating mass and the observer stand in a line, one sees what is termed an Einstein ring.
Abell 1689 is one of the biggest and most massive galaxy clusters known and acts as a gravitational lens, distorting the images of galaxies that lie behind it. [4] It has the largest system of gravitational arcs ever found. [5] Abell 1689 shows over 160,000 globular clusters, the largest population ever found. [6]