A Magnified, Multiplied Starburst Galaxy

The starburst galaxy formally known as PLCK G045.1+61.1 appears here as multiple reddish dots near the center of this image. The distant galaxy is being gravitationally lensed by a cluster of closer galaxies that are also visible in this image. Gravitational lensing occurs when a large distribution of matter, such as a galaxy cluster, sits between Earth and a distant light source. Because space is warped by massive objects, the light from the distant object bends as it travels to us.