A massive cluster of galaxies lurks at the center of this image taken by NASA/ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Like a sunken sea monster causing ripples on the surface, this cosmic giant creature can be described by the distortions of space-time around it. The massive mass of the cluster warps space-time, creating a gravitational lens that deflects light from distant galaxies beyond the cluster. The result is the crooked lines and arcs of light we see in this image. Another galactic mass surrounds the cluster, and several foreground stars with prominent diffraction flares are scattered throughout the image.

Named eMACS J1823.1+7822, this particular galaxy cluster is located about nine billion light-years away in the constellation Draco. It is one of five extremely large galaxy clusters that Hubble has studied to measure the strength of these gravitational lenses, which will allow us to understand the distribution of dark matter in galaxy clusters. Powerful gravitational lenses like eMACS J1823.1+7822 can help astronomers study distant galaxies by acting as giant natural telescopes, magnifying objects that would otherwise be too faint or distant to be recognized.

This multi-wavelength image layers data from eight different filters and two different instruments: Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field Camera 3. Both instruments can image astronomical objects in only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, using filters that allow astronomers to view objects on them. . precisely selected wavelengths. Combining observations of different wavelengths allows astronomers to build a more complete picture of an object’s structure, composition, and behavior than visible light alone.