Further observational evidence that MG J0414+0534 is a gravitational mirage.
Abstract
Deep imaging of MG J0414+0534 with R and I filters reveals a faint, fuzzy and red object at the exact location expected for a lensing galaxy in the gravitational mirage hypothesis. Furthermore, the (extremely red and almost featureless) spectra of the 2 brightest components are very similar. These are strong indications that the system results from multiple gravitational imaging of a single source, but the nature of this source is not yet clear. It could be the nucleus of a low metallicity galaxy at a high redshift or a new type of object. Significant differences are observed between the flux ratios of the images at radio and optical wavelengths. The most likely explanation for this effect is a differential amplification of the image pair A_1_-A_2_ because of the large magnification gradient near a caustic.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- January 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994A&A...281..388A
- Keywords:
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- Gravitational Effects;
- Gravitational Lenses;
- Radio Emission;
- Radio Sources (Astronomy);
- Astronomical Photography;
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Red Shift;
- Spectrographs;
- Spectroscopic Telescopes;
- Astronomy