Euclid Finds Rare Einstein Ring Near NGC 6505

Rahul Somvanshi

This rare phenomenon, known as an Einstein ring, was discovered during the telescope's testing phase in 2023.

Photo Source: Stuart Rankin (CC BY-NC 2.0)

"This is a beautiful, extraordinary, thrilling and lucky find in our first data," says Professor Stephen Serjeant

Photo Source: European Space Agency (CC BY-SA 3.0)

When light from a distant galaxy passes through this curved space, it bends around the galaxy, creating the ring effect.

Photo Source: Tudorica Alexandru (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

By analyzing NGC 6505, researchers have determined that about 11% of its mass is dark matter.

Photo Source: Maxwell Hamilton (CC BY 2.0)

The galaxy has been known to astronomers for a very long time. And yet this ring was never observed before.

Photo Source: ESA (CC BY 4.0)

The Euclid telescope, launched in July 2023, aims to create the largest 3D map of the cosmos ever made.

Photo Source: European Space Agency (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The telescope has recently started scanning billions of galaxies, eventually spanning a third of the night sky.

Photo Source: NASA Universe (CC BY 2.0)

This discovery marks just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable journey of cosmic exploration.

Photo Source: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (CC BY-NC 2.0)

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