A stunning display of a halo of light surrounding a massive black hole has been captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. This luminous loop, resembling an “Einstein ring,” is created by the phenomenon of gravitational lensing, where light from a distant object is bent by the gravity of a closer massive object. In this case, the light from a quasar, known as RX J1131-1231, is being lensed by a galaxy located 6 billion light-years away.
The four bright spots within the halo are actually mirror images of a single bright spot, duplicated by the lensing effect. This duplication is common with bright objects like quasars, which are among the brightest entities in the universe. The circular shape of the halo is not a perfect Einstein ring, but rather a result of the lensing effect on the quasar’s bright spot.
Gravitational lensing can provide valuable insights into distant objects, such as determining the speed of rotation of supermassive black holes. By studying the size and shape of lensed objects, scientists can also calculate the mass of the lensing galaxies and infer the presence of dark matter within them. Dark matter, a mysterious substance that does not emit light but interacts gravitationally with normal matter, can be better understood through these gravitational lensing observations.
This discovery adds to our understanding of the universe and the role of dark matter in shaping galaxies and other cosmic structures. The James Webb Space Telescope continues to provide fascinating insights into the mysteries of the cosmos, thanks to its advanced technology and precision in capturing these rare phenomena.
Harry, a senior staff writer at Live Science, has covered a wide range of topics in space exploration, planetary science, climate change, and more. His expertise in marine biology and journalism has earned him recognition in the field, including a nomination for the NCTJ Awards for Excellence. Stay tuned for more groundbreaking discoveries and insights from the world of astronomy and space science.
