November 6, 2024

Brighton Journal

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Stunningly perfect ‘Einstein ring’ captured by James Webb Space Telescope

Stunningly perfect ‘Einstein ring’ captured by James Webb Space Telescope

Einstein’s near-perfect ring of galaxy JO418 stands out in this image created with data collected by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. (Image credit: Spaceguy44)

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NASA agency James Webb Space Telescope Take the perfect shot of “Einstein’s Ring”. The stunning halo is the result of light from a distant galaxy passing through spacetime twisted around another galaxy aligned between a distant light source and Earth. The new image, created by an astronomy enthusiast on Reddit, is one of the best examples of a triple astronomical phenomenon ever captured.

The ring of light in the new picture comes from afar galaxy SPT-S J041839-4751.8 (or JO418 for short), which is about 12 billion light-years from Earth, making it one of the oldest galaxies in the world. Universe. JO418 is heading directly behind another galaxy – the bright blue light in the ring center – which is so massive that its gravity distorts spacetime around it. When light from JO418 reaches the foreground galaxy, it travels through this twisted spacetime. From Earth, it looks as if light has curved around the galaxy, but the electromagnetic waves we’re seeing have actually been moving in a straight line the whole time.