Hubble Space Telescope image of the Einstein cross

Gravitational lensing. Hubble Space Telescope image of the 'Einstein cross' G2237 +0305, also known as Huchra's cross after its discoverer John Huchra. The photo shows five images; the central spot is a relatively nearby galaxy, while the four outer spots are images of a distant quasar. Light from the quasar has been bent by the gravitation field of the intervening galaxy, which acts as a giant lens, forming four images of the quasar. The quasar lies at a distance of around 8 billion light years, while the galaxy is 20 time closer at 400 million light years. Einstein proposed the effect of gravitational lensing in 1936.. Stunning Photo Gifts From Science Photo Library

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