CuriousWorlds

  Introduction The cosmos is a treasure trove of celestial wonders, and among these marvels, the phenomenon of gravitational lensing stands out. In this post, we delve into the mesmerizing "Jewelled Ring" featured by the ESA/Webb Picture of the Month, showcasing the gravitational lensing of the quasar RX J1131-1231. Gravitational Lensing: Nature's Magnifying Glass Gravitational lensing, a concept predicted by Einstein, acts like a natural telescope, magnifying the light from distant celestial objects. This phenomenon occurs when a massive object, like a galaxy, warps the space around it, causing light from objects behind it to bend and create multiple images. The Jewelled Ring: RX J1131-1231 Located approximately 6 billion light-years away in the constellation Crater, RX J1131-1231 is one of the best-lensed quasars discovered. The foreground galaxy distorts the quasar’s image into a bright arc, creating four distinct images of the quasar. Studying Black Holes with Quasars...

 The search for exoplanets, planets that orbit stars outside our solar system, has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. With thousands of exoplanets discovered and more being found every year, the possibility of finding Earth-like worlds and potentially habitable planets has never been more exciting. At CuriousWorlds , we dive into the latest exoplanet discoveries and what they mean for our quest to find life beyond Earth. What are Exoplanets? Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. These distant worlds come in a variety of sizes, compositions, and orbits, ranging from gas giants larger than Jupiter to rocky planets similar to Earth. How Are Exoplanets Discovered? Transit Method: When an exoplanet passes in front of its host star, it causes a temporary dimming of the star's light. By observing these transits, astronomers can infer the planet's size, orbit, and sometimes its atmospheric composition. Radial Velocity Method: As a planet orb...