Einstein Cross

The Einstein Cross (Q2237+030 or QSO 2237+0305) is a gravitationally lensed quasar that sits directly behind the centre of the galaxy ZW 2237+030, called Huchra's Lens. Four images of the same distant quasar (plus one in the centre, too dim to see) appear in the middle of the foreground galaxy due to strong gravitational lensing.[1][2] This system was discovered by John Huchra and coworkers in 1985, although at the time they only detected that there was a quasar behind a galaxy based on differing redshifts and did not resolve the four separate images of the quasar.[3]

Einstein Cross
Einstein cross: Four images of the same distant quasar (due to the gravitational lensing of the galaxy closest to us, shown in the foreground, the Huchra Lens).
Observation data (Epoch J2000)
ConstellationPegasus
Right ascension22h 40m 30.3s
Declination+3° 21′ 31″
Redshift1.695
Distance8,000,000,000 ly (2,500,000,000 pc)
TypeLeQ
Apparent dimensions (V)less than 2"
Apparent magnitude (V)16.78
Other designations
LEDA 69457, Z 378-15
See also: Quasar, List of quasars

While gravitationally lensed light sources are often shaped into an Einstein ring, due to the elongated shape of the lensing galaxy and the quasar being off-centre, the images form a peculiar cross-shape instead.[4]

Other "Einstein crosses" have been discovered[5] (see image below of one of them).

Details

The quasar's redshift indicates that it is located about 8 billion light years from Earth, while the lensing galaxy is at a distance of 400 million light years. The apparent dimensions of the entire foreground galaxy are 0.87 × 0.34 arcminutes,[6] while the apparent dimension of the cross in its centre accounts for only 1.6 × 1.6 arcseconds.

The Einstein Cross can be found in Pegasus at 22h 40m 30.3s, +3° 21′ 31″.

Amateur astronomers are able to see some of the cross using telescopes; however, it requires extremely dark skies and telescope mirrors with diameters of 18 inches (46 cm) or greater.[7]

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

References
  1. NASA and ESA (September 13, 1990). "The Gravitational Lens G2237 + 0305". HubbleSite. Archived from the original on 19 December 2005. Retrieved July 25, 2006.
  2. Drakeford, Jason; Corum, Jonathan; Overbye, Dennis (March 5, 2015). "Einstein's Telescope - video (02:32)". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  3. Huchra, J.; et al. (1985). "2237 + 0305: A new and unusual gravitational lens". Astronomical Journal. 90: 691–696. Bibcode:1985AJ.....90..691H. doi:10.1086/113777.
  4. "How does gravitational lensing account for Einstein's Cross?". physics.stackexchange.com. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  5. "A new Einstein cross is discovered". phys.org. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  6. "LEDA 69457". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  7. Crinklaw, Greg. "Focus on Einstein's Cross". Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  8. "Cosmic lenses support finding on faster than expected expansion of the Universe". www.spacetelescope.org. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
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