James Webb Space Telescope captures image of near-perfect ‘Einstein ring’

Source: The post is based on the article “James Webb Space Telescope captures image of near-perfect Einstein ring” published in Indian Express on 9th September 2022.

What is the News?

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured an image of an almost perfect “Einstein ring.”

What is the Einstein Ring?

The Einstein Ring is created when the light from a galaxy or star passes by a massive object en route to the Earth. 

Due to the effects of gravitation (called gravitational lensing), the light is diverted, which makes it seem to come from different places. If the light source, lens, and observer are all in perfect alignment, the light appears as a ring.

The first example of an “Einstein Ring” was discovered in 1988.

Where did the James Webb Telescope discover an Einstein Ring?

The James Webb Telescope discovered an Einstein Ring formed from the light of a distant galaxy SPT-S J041839-4751.8, which is around 12 billion light-years away from earth, which also makes it one of the oldest galaxies in the universe.