gravitational lens
noun
: a massive celestial object (such as a galaxy) that bends and focuses the light of another more distant object (such as a quasar) by gravity and that is usually detected by the multiple images it forms of the second object
Examples of gravitational lens in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The image, the deepest infrared shot ever taken, shows a foreground galaxy cluster called SMACS 0723 that is acting as gravitational lens, revealing much more distant galaxies behind it.
—
Christopher Cokinos, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2022
As light from distant galaxies passes through dark matter, the gravity of the invisible material bends that light, distorting it - this is called a gravitational lens.
—Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2012
Such mirror images arise when an object’s light takes multiple paths around a gravitational lens.
—Fionna M. D. Samuels, Scientific American, 21 July 2022
These CubeSats could then make a 25-year journey to the solar gravitational lens (SGL) point.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 26 July 2022
But the galaxy cluster captured in the image, known as SMACS 0723, serves as a gravitational lens, bringing to light more distant galaxies.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 12 July 2022
With microlensing, a foreground object can act as a gravitational lens to bend and amplify the light from a distant background star.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 11 June 2022
Despite the far-out nature of the solar gravitational lens, Turyshev, Macintosh and Madurowicz are of one mind: thinking about its possibilities now is worthwhile.
—Allison Gasparini, Scientific American, 25 May 2022
The mass of that closer galaxy acts as a gravitational lens, bending SPT0418–47’s rays toward Earth so that ALMA can get a better image.
—Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 12 Aug. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher Cokinos, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2022
As light from distant galaxies passes through dark matter, the gravity of the invisible material bends that light, distorting it - this is called a gravitational lens.
—Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2012
Such mirror images arise when an object’s light takes multiple paths around a gravitational lens.
—Fionna M. D. Samuels, Scientific American, 21 July 2022
These CubeSats could then make a 25-year journey to the solar gravitational lens (SGL) point.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 26 July 2022
But the galaxy cluster captured in the image, known as SMACS 0723, serves as a gravitational lens, bringing to light more distant galaxies.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 12 July 2022
With microlensing, a foreground object can act as a gravitational lens to bend and amplify the light from a distant background star.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 11 June 2022
Despite the far-out nature of the solar gravitational lens, Turyshev, Macintosh and Madurowicz are of one mind: thinking about its possibilities now is worthwhile.
—Allison Gasparini, Scientific American, 25 May 2022
The mass of that closer galaxy acts as a gravitational lens, bending SPT0418–47’s rays toward Earth so that ALMA can get a better image.
—Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 12 Aug. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near gravitational lens
Cite this Entry
“Gravitational lens.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravitational%20lens. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share