Lensing cluster Abell 383
The giant galaxy cluster in the centre of this image contains so much dark matter mass that its gravity bends the light of more distant objects. This means that for very distant galaxies in the background, the cluster’s gravitational field acts as a sort of magnifying glass, bending and concentrating the distant object’s light towards Hubble. These gravitational lenses are one tool astronomers can use to extend Hubble’s vision beyond what it would normally be capable of observing. This way some of the very first galaxies in the Universe can be studied by astronomers.
The lensing effect can also be used to determine the distribution of matter — both ordinary and dark matter — within the cluster.
Credit:NASA, ESA, J. Richard (CRAL) and J.-P. Kneib (LAM). Acknowledgement: Marc Postman (STScI)
About the Image
Id: | heic1106a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 12 April 2011, 15:00 |
Related releases: | heic1718, heic1106 |
Size: | 2417 x 2380 px |
About the Object
Name: | Abell 383 |
Type: | Early Universe : Galaxy : Type : Gravitationally Lensed Early Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Cluster |
Distance: | z=0.187 (redshift) |
Constellation: | Eridanus |
Category: | Cosmology |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 2 48 2.92 |
Position (Dec): | -3° 31' 50.68" |
Field of view: | 2.01 x 1.98 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 0.2° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical R | 775 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Infrared Z | 850 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Infrared Near-IR | 1.1 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Infrared Near-IR | 1.25 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Infrared Near-IR | 1.6 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Infrared Near-IR | 1.6 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |