Ring around the galaxy.When two galaxies lie along one line of sight, the nearer galaxy's mass bends light from the more distant one, as predicted by the general theory of relativity Noun 1. general theory of relativity - a generalization of special relativity to include gravity (based on the principle of equivalence) Einstein's general theory of relativity, general relativity, general relativity theory . The phenomenon, called gravitational lensing, usually creates an arc of light tight against the closer galaxy. Only twice before had astronomers witnessed a complete circle, a so-called Einstein ring, formed by two perfectly aligned galaxies. Last week, the Hubble Space Telescope Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the first large optical orbiting observatory. Built from 1978 to 1990 at a cost of $1.5 billion, the HST (named for astronomer E. P. Hubble) was expected to provide the clearest view yet obtained of the universe. snapped pictures of 19 gravitationally grav·i·ta·tion n. 1. Physics a. The natural phenomenon of attraction between physical objects with mass or energy. b. The act or process of moving under the influence of this attraction. 2. lensing elliptical galaxies, eight of which boast Einstein rings. Pictured here is a ring in the constellation Serpens. Astronomers will use the radius of the ring to calculate the closer galaxy's mass, says Adam Bolton of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It consists of the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The Center is located at 60 Garden Street. in Cambridge, Mass. |
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