Einstein Crosses are the effect of the universe’s natural telescopes. They occur when light from a distant galaxy passes by a massive foreground object, like a cluster of galaxies, that bends the very fabric of space. The gravity from these intervening objects acts like a gargantuan lens, warping the path that light follows and creating multiple images of the background source. Despite the name, Einstein didn’t specifically predict a cross, instead he proposed the concept known as gravitational lensing. His concept was published in his theory of General Relativity in 1915 but was later confirmed during the solar eclipse of 1919.
Space News & Blog Articles
Tune into the SpaceZE News Network to stay updated on industry news from around the world.
Galaxies with High Radio Emissions Could be Home to Many Advanced Civilizations
For decades, scientists engaged in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) have probed the galaxy for signs of artificial radio transmissions. Beginning with Project Ozma in 1960, astronomers have used radio antennas to listen for possible transmissions from other star systems or galaxies. These efforts culminated in January 2016 with the launch of Breakthrough Listen, the most comprehensive SETI effort to date. This project combines radio wave observations from the Green Bank and Parkes Observatory, as well as visible light observations from the Automated Planet Finder (APF),
Music and Science Unite in the Work of Cosmologist Stephon Alexander
A fight against conventionality has driven cosmologist Stephon Alexander on a groundbreaking journey through theoretical physics.
"Serenity" at 20: The "Firefly" follow-up that aimed to misbehave
How a cancelled TV show got a short-lived reprieve on the big screen.
Only 300 available! Grab one of these limited edition smart telescopes — we rated the original 5/5 in our review
Vaonis has just released a limited-edition run of their Vespera II smart telescopes with a stylish clear housing and a built-in hygrometer — available for $2490 from select retailers.
'Thunderbirds' are 60! Looking back at the British puppet classic that was the 'Star Wars' of its day
A decade before George Lucas flew off to a galaxy far, far away, International Rescue introduced a generation to the coolest toys on the planet.
Deadly meteor fragments rain down on Earth in 1st 'Greenland 2: Migration' trailer (video)
Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return in this $65 million sequel to 2020’s post-apocalyptic hit.
Gaze at star clusters and the Harvest moon this fall with $130 off the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars
This early October Prime Day deal gets you the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars for just $190 on Amazon — their lowest price since 2023.
Mining the moon: Can you make money harvesting helium-3?
Mining the moon for helium-3: How real is the prospect, and is there a business case for such an undertaking?
Mars rovers serve as scientists' eyes and ears from millions of miles away – here are the tools Perseverance used to spot a potential sign of ancient life
Science, especially when conducted remotely on another planet, is rarely black and white.
Photograph the Orionids with this Canon EOS R5 Mark II and lens bundle — now $574 off from Walmart
This limited-time deal gets you the Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the RF 24-105mm f/4 lens kit for just $4925— $174 cheaper than Amazon's current sale price. Shoot the Orionids with ease!
Hubble trouble: Can you handle the cosmic challenge?
This quiz is your chance to dive into the wonders of Hubble's legacy
Don't miss International Observe the Moon Night 2025: How to join the celebration on Oct. 4
Over 700 events are scheduled for International Observe the Moon Night 2025.
See ESA's summer space snaps
Our interactive publication covering captivating stories and stunning images from the most recent quarter of the year.
Telescopes scan the skies over the Atacama Desert | Space photo of the day for Sept. 30, 2025
A new image from NOIRLab shows telescopes on two Chilean peaks in the Atacama Desert.
Gaia discovers our galaxy’s great wave
Our Milky Way galaxy never sits still: it rotates and wobbles. And now, data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope reveal that our galaxy also has a giant wave rippling outwards from its centre.
Tumbleweed-inspired Mars rovers could be blown across the Red Planet
Scientists are testing prototypes of tumbleweed rovers in a wind tunnel that show that Mars' winds are strong enough to push them.
ESA at IAC 2025 - highlights from Day 2
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) will pursue new ways of working together following discussions during the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia.
Axiom Space taps Portuguese physiologist as first ‘Project Astronaut’
(Left to right) Axiom Space Chief Astronaut Michael López-Alegría trains with the first Axiom Space project astronaut Emiliano Ventura. Image: Axiom Space
Axiom Space is gearing up to launch the first module of its commercial space station as soon as next year, but it is also refining how it will train future crews to head into low Earth orbit.
SpaceX targeting Oct. 13 for next Starship megarocket launch
SpaceX is targeting Oct. 13 for the 11th test flight of Starship, which will be the final launch of the megarocket's current "Version 2" iteration.
Surveying Io’s Surface with the UNAGI Lander
What type of lander could touch down on Jupiter’s volcanic moon, Io? This is what a recent paper presented at the AIAA 2025 Regional Student Conference hopes to address as a team of student engineers from Spartan Space Systems at San Jose State University investigated a novel concept for landing a spacecraft in Io, which is the most volcanically active planetary body in the solar system. This study has the potential to help scientists and engineers develop new mission concepts from all levels of academia and industry.
