Hubble Science: Einstein Rings, Optical Illusions

An Einstein Ring can be explained by a phenomenon called gravitational lensing, which causes light shining from a faraway galaxy to be warped by the gravity of an object between its source and the observer. This effect was first theorized by Albert Einstein in 1912, and later worked into his theory of general relativity.

In this video, Dr. Brian Welch explains this fascinating phenomenon of nature, and goes over how important Hubble is to exploring the mysteries of the universe.


For more information, visit https://nasa.gov/hubble.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Producer & Director: James Leigh

Editor: Lucy Lund

Director of Photography: James Ball

Additional Editing & Photography: Matthew Duncan

Executive Producers: James Leigh & Matthew Duncan

Production & Post: Origin Films

Video Credit:
Hubble Space Telescope Animations
Credit: M. Kornmesser (ESA/Hubble)

Gravitational Lensing in MACS J1149-2223
Credit: ESA/Hubble, L. Calçada

Music Credit:
"Binary Fission" by Tom Kane [PRS] via BBC Production Music [PRS], and Universal Production Music

“Cosmic Call” by Immersive Music (Via Shutterstock Music)