Mapping the Sun as a Transparent Gravitational Lens
Abstract
The ability of the transparent Sun to act as a strong gravitational lens is investigated using the latest Standard Solar model (SSM) data. A robust multipurpose code, which can accept numerical data or an assumed density profile as input parameters, is developed and used to simulate the deflection angles, magnification and the gravitational lens mapped image locations of the source. The critical curves and caustics for the spherically symmetric Sun, which generates a maximum of three images, are computed along with the corresponding magnifications. The transition from a spherical symmetry to a triaxial symmetry of the lens will result in increased image multiplicities. The effect of the Sun's rotation on the possibility of generating an additional image set is also investigated.
The transparent Sun as a gravitational lens may serve as a unique astrophysical telescope. A more precise minimum focal length for the transparent Sun is computed to be 23.5 +/- 0.1 AU, beyond the orbit of Uranus. Placing a satellite just past this minimal focal length will enable the measurement of a gravitationally enhanced flux of particles tracing null or nearly null geodesics. Magnifications as high as eight orders of magnitude enhance source detectability at the observer locations near caustics. Focused radiations include some energy bands of gravitational radiation, neutrinos, and scalar field particles. Potentially detectable magnified sources include novae and soft gamma repeaters.- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AAS...21111204P