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Gravity – Nature’s Magnifying Glass

This video explains how very distant galaxies are magnified through the phenomenon of gravitational lensing. Gravitational lenses can magnify the light from distant galaxies that are at or near the peak of star formation. This effect allows researchers to study the details of early galaxies too far away to be seen with even the most powerful space telescopes.

  • Release Date
    August 21, 2019
  • Science Release
    Where Are New Stars Born? NASA’s Webb Telescope Will Investigate
    Read the release
  • Credit
    Video: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Leah Hustak (STScI)

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  • Transcript
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SDSS J1226+2152 (Hubble Compass Image)

This image of galaxy SDSS J1226+2152, which lies toward the center of the image and is enlarged at top right, was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys and shows compass arrows and labels for reference. The north and east compass arrows show the...

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Details

Last Updated
Aug 28, 2025
Contact
Media

Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

Video Credit

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Leah Hustak (STScI)

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