Newly discovered gravitational lens system RXS J1131-1231

Image of the newly discovered gravitational lens system RXS J1131-1231 recorded by the EFOSC2 instrument on the ESO 3.6-m telescope (left panel). Deconvolution ("image sharpening", right panel) allows a better view of the four star-like components (the four images of the same distant quasar), the Einstein ring (the elongated image of the quasar's host galaxy) and the lensing galaxy (the central bright diffuse image).

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0321a
Type:Observation
Release date:16 July 2003
Related releases:eso0321
Size:1912 x 967 px

About the Object

Name:RXS J1131-1231
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy : Type : Gravitationally Lensed
Distance:z=0.66 (redshift)
Category:Galaxies
Quasars and Black Holes

Image Formats

Fullsize Original
1021.0 KB
Large JPEG
126.9 KB
Screensize JPEG
76.9 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
ESO 3.6-metre telescope
EFOSC2