Replies

Abell 2218
Abell 2218 is a cluster of galaxies. It is at a distance of about 2 billion light years behind the constellation Draco. This is the 2,218th cluster in George Abell's catalog. It has come under a lot of study recently. When deep images are taken of this cluster, beautiful arcs are seen surrounding the center of the cluster (Abell's images were relatively shallow, so these arcs were not visible to him).

Most of these arcs are actually images from a single galaxy far behind the cluster! When the light from this galaxy (5-10 times more distant than Abell 2218) passes through the cluster, the light gets deflected by the gravitational field the cluster. In this case (which is rare) the light is bent so stronly that the image is sheared out into an arc. Also, because of the strength of the lens, light passing to either side of the cluster gets bent toward the observer and multiple images are seen. Because some of the arcs are blue and some are red, I suspect the arcs may be from more than one background galaxy, perhaps in a cluster or group of their own.

5 posted on 02/15/2004 2:09:51 PM PST by concentric circles (Good government starts in the voting booth.)

To: concentric circles

I understand that Hubble is doing alot of deep field work, or spending a great deal of time peering into dark patches of the universe. Is this part of that work?

9 posted on 02/15/2004 2:23:40 PM PST by jpsb (Nominated 1994 "Worst writer on the net")

To: concentric circles

Very interesting and beautiful pictures. Thanks!

10 posted on 02/15/2004 2:24:10 PM PST by vezke

To: concentric circles

The source of your screen name???

13 posted on 02/15/2004 2:29:09 PM PST by null and void (There's no such thing as a bad tax cut)

To: concentric circles

Incredible Pictures!

Know anything about the small blue image in the approximate center of the image?

14 posted on 02/15/2004 2:56:25 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)

To: concentric circles

What a beautiful picture.

God's handywork is amazing.

37 posted on 02/15/2004 7:05:51 PM PST by reagan_fanatic (It's not over till the intern sings)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794