The Einstein Cross

The Einstein Cross is a striking example of gravitational lensing, where a massive object like a galaxy distorts spacetime and bends light from a more distant quasar directly behind it. This bending causes the quasar’s light to split into multiple images surrounding the galaxy, forming a pattern that looks like a cross. Named after Albert Einstein, who predicted this phenomenon, the Einstein Cross demonstrates how gravity can act like a cosmic lens, magnifying and multiplying objects far away in the universe. It provides valuable evidence of general relativity and helps astronomers study distant celestial objects.