image: Due to the special gravitational lens effect where light is bent as it passes heavy objects, such as galaxy clusters, a group of physics students at the Niels Bohr Institute observed a quasar whose light was reproduced six times. This has never been seen before. view more
Credit: Håkon Dahle, Nordic Optical Telescope
Quasars are active black holes -- primarily from the early universe. Using a special method where you observe light that has been bent by gravity on its way through the universe, a group of physics students from the Niels Bohr Institute have observed a quasar whose light has been deflected and reflected in six separate images. This is the first time a quasar has been observed with so many light reflections. The results are published in the scientific journal, Astrophysical Journal.
Article in Astrophysical Journal: http://stacks.iop.org/0004-637X/773/146
For more information contact:
Johan Fynbo
Professor, Dark Cosmology Centre
Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen
+45 3532-5983, +45 2875-5983
jfynbo@dark-cosmology.dk