Lensing Effect

The lensing effect occurs when a massive object, like a galaxy or black hole, bends light from a more distant object behind it, due to gravity. This bending acts like a cosmic magnifying glass, distorting or brightening the image of the distant object. Light follows curved paths around the massive object, creating effects such as multiple images, rings, or stretched shapes. Gravitational lensing helps scientists study objects that are otherwise hard to see, and also provides insights into the distribution of dark matter and the universe’s structure.