The Einstein Cross Gravitational Lens

Image Credit & License: NSF, NOIRLab, AURA, WIYN; Processing: J. Rhoads (Arizona State U.) et al.

Explanation: Most galaxies have a single nucleus -- does this galaxy have four? The strange answer leads astronomers to conclude that the nucleus of the surrounding galaxy is not even visible in this image. The central cloverleaf is rather light emitted from a background quasar. The gravitational field of the visible foreground galaxy breaks light from this distant quasar into four distinct images. The quasar must be properly aligned behind the center of a massive galaxy for a mirage like this to be evident. The general effect is known as gravitational lensing, and this specific case is known as the Einstein Cross. Stranger still, the images of the Einstein Cross vary in relative brightness, enhanced occasionally by the additional gravitational microlensing effect of specific stars in the foreground galaxy.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260104.html #apod

⚠️ WARNING: If anyone tells you your account has been suspended and you need to "verify" it, they are trying to scam you.

DO NOT respond to them or click their link.

DO report them by clicking ⋯ on the scam post and then "Report" and if possible select the option to forward the report to its origin server.

The scammers may have  Mastodon logos as their profile pictures and are posing as technical support.