Gravitational Lenses (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) [Paperback]

P. Schneider (Author), J. Ehlers (Author), E.E. Falco (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3540665064 | ISBN-13: 978-3540665069 | Publication Date: November 23, 1999

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 574 pages
• Publisher: Springer (November 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540665064
• ISBN-13: 978-3540665069
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,431,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars nice confirmation of General Relativity, April 10, 2005

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This review is from: Gravitational Lenses (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) (Paperback)

Gravitational lenses are one of the most beautiful manifestations of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. The book explains how from the equations of GR, a massive star that is in the line of sight between us and a distant bright star can cause the production of multiple images. Several of these have been observed in the visible spectrum. Eloquent images.

Thus, the book also goes into the observational evidence for such lensing. This involves testing the light from the purported images, to affirm whether or not the spectral properties of the images are similar enough that they are in fact images of the same star. Are the redshifts the same, for example?

It is also shown that the lensing also gives us a diagnostic handle on the star doing the lensing. Very useful, as the star might be so distant in its own right as to preclude several other types of analysis.