Hubble Space Telescope image of the galaxy group Abell 2813 (also known as ACO 2813). Credit: ESA / Hubble & NASA, D. Coe
This extraordinary image from the NASA/ ESA Hubble Space Telescope Abell 2813 (also known as ACO 2813) has an almost fine beauty, which also illustrates the remarkable physics that work in it. The image shows the concept of gravitational lens in a spectacular way.
Between the small dots, spirals and ovals that are the galaxies that belong to the cluster, there are different crescent-shaped shapes. These curved arcs are strong examples of a phenomenon known as gravity lens. The image was compiled using observations taken with the Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
Gravitational lensing occurs when the mass of an object deflects light. The curved seconds and s-shapes of light in this image are not curved galaxies, but are light of galaxies that actually lie beyond Abell 2813. to bend it. These deformations can occur in so many different shapes, such as long lines or arcs.
This very visual proof that mass causes light to bend is known as a proof of one of the best known scientific theories: Einstein’s general theory of relativity.