Re: StarImage3 Update
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:51 pm
Good analysis, Alstrong. If the lensing effect were to be the explanation, then it would look like the first image below. Like you said, there would be a reflection of the star about the massive object or black hole. I found an actual image of this occuring, which is the first one below (and is a prime example). Clearer examples can be found here:
http://www.jonlomberg.com/oa_gravitational.html
But, if it were reflected, then the stars would appear in the reverse order of the other one. This is the case with the set near the glyph, and thus the black hole would be just to the right of the glyph for everything to be symmetric. Not exactly symmetric, mind you, but close. But, for the other set (the ones to the far right, and shown in the second image below), this cannot be the case. The stars are in the same order, so they cannot be formed by the lense effect.
http://www.jonlomberg.com/oa_gravitational.html
But, if it were reflected, then the stars would appear in the reverse order of the other one. This is the case with the set near the glyph, and thus the black hole would be just to the right of the glyph for everything to be symmetric. Not exactly symmetric, mind you, but close. But, for the other set (the ones to the far right, and shown in the second image below), this cannot be the case. The stars are in the same order, so they cannot be formed by the lense effect.