Topic: Astronomy Without A Telescope – Through A Lens Darkly

[sam]

Massive galactic clusters – which are roughly orientated in a plane that is roughly face-on to Earth  – can generate strong gravitational lensing. However, several surveys of such clusters have reached the conclusion that these clusters have a tendency towards lensing too much – at least more than is predicted based on their expected mass.

http://www.universetoday.com/80339/astronomy-without-a-telescope-through-a-lens-darkly/

[Clive]

  I never thought I would see the words "Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect" on this forum Sam! What monster have I unleashed?     It's a very good article about the innovative  (and quite desperate) methods astronomers are using to detect invisible stuff and I have to hand it to you guys who are on the cutting edge of all this.  Those who claim astrophysicists are a waste of taxpayers money really have no idea how much of an investment they are to the future of mankind.  I love the photo of that double Einstein ring.  It's almost too good to be true!   

[GillE]

I've got lots of photographs like that.  'Sfunny, but I've always been told the effect was due to scratched negatives.  Now I know the truth - I was a cutting-edge astro-physicist decades ahead of my time.

Seriously, though - interesting article, Sam .

[sam]

I love the photo of that double Einstein ring.

tis lovely isn't it.

I still can't wait until we are able to detect the epoch of reionisation, SKA science really though - that's as far back in time as we can see. So cutting edge indeed. There are moments when I'm so wrapped up in my work and the fine details that I don't think how cool it is.

Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect

child's play Clive :p

[Clive]

I still can't wait until we are able to detect the epoch of reionisation,

Ten years ago I would have said it's impossible.  How times have changed!

child's play Clive :p

I think you got away with it!