Technique · Gravitation & Multi-Messenger
Gravitational Lensing
Gravity bends light, so massive foreground objects magnify and distort background ones — strongly, into arcs and multiple images, or weakly, subtly shearing distant galaxies. Lensing weighs matter directly, mapping dark matter that emits no light.
Gravitation & Multi-MessengerMeasures: Mass, including dark matter
Highlights
- ›Weighs matter directly, including dark matter
Builds on
Knowledge connections
- Member of groupGravitation & Multi-Messenger
- Associated withDark Matter
- Associated withStrong Lens Finding
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.