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Unredeemed
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Why do we ever get Einstein crosses? I realize it is because the alignment is not right, but why do we get a cross because of this instead of just a skewed ring?
Thanks,
Jamie
Thanks,
Jamie
Unredeemed said:Why do we ever get Einstein crosses? I realize it is because the alignment is not right, but why do we get a cross because of this instead of just a skewed ring?
Thanks,
Jamie
George Jones said:Hartle's book Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity has a nice treatment of this. I can look it up on Monday.
The phenomenon is named after Albert Einstein because it is a direct result of his theory of general relativity. In this theory, massive objects such as galaxies can bend the path of light, causing it to appear distorted or magnified. The shape of the distorted light in this phenomenon resembles a cross, hence the name "Einstein Cross".
The light from a distant object, such as a quasar, passes through the gravitational field of a massive object, such as a galaxy. This gravitational field bends the path of light, causing it to appear distorted. In the case of an Einstein Cross, the light is bent in four different directions, creating the appearance of a cross.
The shape of the distorted light depends on the alignment of the distant object, the massive object, and the observer. In some cases, the alignment is such that the light is bent in four different directions, creating an Einstein Cross. In other cases, the alignment may result in a skewed ring or other distorted shapes.
Yes, there are other factors that can affect the appearance of an Einstein Cross. One factor is the amount of mass in the massive object. The more massive the object, the stronger its gravitational field and the more significant the distortion of light will be. The distance between the distant object and the massive object can also affect the appearance, as well as the distance between the observer and the massive object.
Einstein Crosses are relatively rare phenomena in the universe. They require a specific alignment of objects and observer to occur, making them uncommon. However, with the advancement of technology and telescopes, scientists have been able to detect more of these crosses in recent years.