What is an Einstein ring? When light from a galaxy or star passes by a massice clestial object, gravity bends the light, creating the illusion that the light is coming from difference places. The effect is called gravitational lensing. When all the elements invbolved are liked up just right, the light appears as a ring — an Einstein Ring. Here’s more from Astronomy Now:

“An Einstein ring is a prime example of strong gravitational lensing,” explains Conor O’Riordan from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany, lead author of the first scientific paper analyzing the ring. “Strong lenses are both rare and scientifically valuable. This one is particularly special because of its proximity to Earth and the nearly perfect alignment that makes it so visually stunning.”

Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity predicts that massive objects bend light, effectively acting as cosmic lenses. The more massive the object, the stronger the lensing effect. This allows astronomers to observe distant galaxies that would otherwise remain hidden. When the alignment is just right, the distant galaxy’s light forms a striking ring around the foreground object, creating an Einstein ring. These rings serve as crucial tools for studying the expansion of the Universe, the effects of invisible dark matter, and the impact of dark energy.

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