Gravitational Lensing: Strong, Weak and Micro

Gravitational Lensing: Strong, Weak and Micro

Author: Peter Schneider

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2006-12-30

Total Pages: 565

ISBN-13: 3540303103

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The observation, in 1919 by A.S. Eddington and collaborators, of the gra- tational de?ection of light by the Sun proved one of the many predictions of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity: The Sun was the ?rst example of a gravitational lens. In 1936, Albert Einstein published an article in which he suggested - ing stars as gravitational lenses. A year later, Fritz Zwicky pointed out that galaxies would act as lenses much more likely than stars, and also gave a list of possible applications, as a means to determine the dark matter content of galaxies and clusters of galaxies. It was only in 1979 that the ?rst example of an extragalactic gravitational lens was provided by the observation of the distant quasar QSO 0957+0561, by D. Walsh, R.F. Carswell, and R.J. Weymann. A few years later, the ?rst lens showing images in the form of arcs was detected. The theory, observations, and applications of gravitational lensing cons- tute one of the most rapidly growing branches of astrophysics. The gravi- tional de?ection of light generated by mass concentrations along a light path producesmagni?cation,multiplicity,anddistortionofimages,anddelaysp- ton propagation from one line of sight relative to another. The huge amount of scienti?c work produced over the last decade on gravitational lensing has clearly revealed its already substantial and wide impact, and its potential for future astrophysical applications.


Introduction to Gravitational Lensing

Introduction to Gravitational Lensing

Author: Massimo Meneghetti

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-12-10

Total Pages: 412

ISBN-13: 3030735826

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This book introduces the phenomenology of gravitational lensing in an accessible manner and provides a thorough discussion of the related astrophysical applications. It is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students who want to start working in this rapidly evolving field. This includes also senior researchers who are interested in ongoing or future surveys and missions such as DES, Euclid, WFIRST, LSST. The reader is guided through many fascinating topics related to gravitational lensing like the structure of our galaxy, the searching for exoplanets, the investigation of dark matter in galaxies and galaxy clusters, and several aspects of cosmology, including dark energy and the cosmic microwave background. The author, who has gained valuable experience as academic teacher, guides the readers towards the comprehension of the theory of gravitational lensing and related observational techniques by using simple codes written in python. This approach, beyond facilitating the understanding of gravitational lensing, is preparatory for learning the python programming language which is gaining large popularity both in academia and in the private sector.


Principles of Gravitational Lensing

Principles of Gravitational Lensing

Author: Arthur B. Congdon

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-12-01

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 303002122X

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This textbook provides an introduction to gravitational lensing, which has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics, with applications that range from finding planets orbiting distant stars to understanding how dark matter and dark energy conspired to form the cosmic structures we see today. Principles of Gravitational Lensing begins with Einstein’s prediction that gravity bends light, and shows how that fundamental idea has spawned a rich field of study over the past century. The gravitational deflection of light was first detected by Eddington during a solar eclipse in May 1919, launching Einstein and his theory of relativity into public view. Yet the possibility of using the phenomenon to unlock mysteries of the Universe seemed remote, given the technology of the day. Theoretical work was carried out sporadically over the next six decades, but only with the discovery of the system Q0957+561 in 1979 was gravitational lensing transformed from a curiosity of general relativity into a practical observational tool. This book describes how the three subfields known as strong lensing, weak lensing, and microlensing have grown independently but become increasingly intertwined. Drawing on their research experience, Congdon and Keeton begin with the basic physics of light bending, then present the mathematical foundations of gravitational lensing, building up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way. Relevant background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained. The derivations and explanations are supplemented by exercises designed to help students master the theoretical concepts as well as the methods that drive current research. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest. Principles of Gravitational Lensing is ideal for advanced students and seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.


Gravitational Lenses

Gravitational Lenses

Author: P. Schneider

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-06-29

Total Pages: 564

ISBN-13: 3662037580

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Light observed from distant objects is found to be deflected by the gravitational field of massive objects near the line of sight - an effect predicted by Einstein in his first paper setting forth the general theory of relativity, and confirmed by Eddington soon afterwards. If the source of the light is sufficiently distant and bright, and if the intervening object is massive enough and near enough to the line of sight, the gravitational field acts like a lens, focusing the light and producing one or more bright images of the source. This book, by renowned researchers in the field, begins by discussing the basic physics behind gravitational lenses: the optics of curved space-time. It then derives the appropriate equations for predicting the properties of these lenses. In addition, it presents up-to-date observational evidence for gravitational lenses and describes the particular properties of the observed cases. The authors also discuss applications of the results to problems in cosmology.


The Extragalactic Distance Scale

The Extragalactic Distance Scale

Author: Space Telescope Science Institute (U.S.). Symposium

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1997-06-28

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 9780521591645

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One of the hottest debates in astronomy and cosmology today concerns the value of the Hubble constant. This constant is of paramount importance since it fixes the size and age of the Universe. At a symposium at the Space Telescope Science Institute, experts from around the world presented the latest results from a plethora of techniques for determining the Hubble constant. The value has always been controversial, but at this meeting experts' results agreed for the first time to within about 20%. Based on the meeting, this book presents twenty-three specially written review articles. They provide a comprehensive account of the Hubble-constant debate with the latest results from gravitational lensing, supernovae and novae, the Tully-Fisher relation, the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, light echoes, and the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project. This timely volume provides a standard reference for graduate students and researchers in astronomy and cosmology.


Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing

Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing

Author: Evencio Mediavilla

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-10-06

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1316684040

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Gravitational lenses offer the best, and sometimes the only, means of tackling key problems in many fields of astrophysics and cosmology. According to Einstein's theory, the curvature of light-rays increases with mass; gravitational lenses can be used to map the distribution of mass in a Universe in which virtually all matter is dark matter of an unknown nature. Gravitational lensing has significantly improved our knowledge of many astrophysical phenomena, such as exoplanets, galaxies, active galactic nuclei, quasars, clusters, large-scale structure and the Universe itself. All these topics are covered fully in this book, together with two tutorials on lens and microlensing modelling. The future of lensing in relation to large surveys and the anticipated discoveries of thousands more gravitational lenses is also discussed, making this volume an ideal guide for postgraduate students and practising researchers in the use of gravitational lenses as a tool in their investigations.


Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing

Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing

Author: C.S. Kochanek

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 457

ISBN-13: 9400902212

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EDWIN TURNER AND RACHEL WEBSTER Co-Chairs, Scientific Organizing Committee lAU Symposium 173, Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lenses, was held in Melbourne, Australia from July 9-14, 1995. The Symposium was sponsored by lAU Commissions 47 and 40. With the discovery by Walsh and collaborators of the first instance of a gravitational lens, the multiply imaged quasar 0957+561, the area of grav itational lensing moved from speculative theory to a major astrophysical tool. Since that time, there have been regular, approximately biennial in ternational meetings both in Europe and in North America, which have specifically focussed on gravitational lensing. On this occasion, with the blessing of the lA U, the meeting was held at the University of Melbourne in Australia. It was the first international astronomical meeting to be held at the University of Melbourne, and hope fully has given the astronomical community some enthusiasm for trekking half-way round the globe to Australia to discuss their latest work.


Singularity Theory and Gravitational Lensing

Singularity Theory and Gravitational Lensing

Author: Arlie O. Petters

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 616

ISBN-13: 1461201454

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This monograph is the first to develop a mathematical theory of gravitational lensing. The theory applies to any finite number of deflector planes and highlights the distinctions between single and multiple plane lensing. Introductory material in Parts I and II present historical highlights and the astrophysical aspects of the subject. Part III employs the ideas and results of singularity theory to put gravitational lensing on a rigorous mathematical foundation.


Relativistic Kinetic Theory

Relativistic Kinetic Theory

Author: Gregory V. Vereshchagin

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2017-02-16

Total Pages: 343

ISBN-13: 1107048222

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This book presents fundamentals, equations, and methods of solutions of relativistic kinetic theory, with applications in astrophysics and cosmology.