This was
your sky.

The Einstein Cross Gravitational Lens

This image shows the Einstein Cross, a rare alignment where a foreground galaxy's gravity bends light from a distant quasar into four distinct images. The visible galaxy in the center acts as a gravitational lens, creating a cosmic mirage. The quasar's nucleus is not visible here; instead, we see its light split into four bright points around the galaxy's core. This phenomenon provides a powerful tool for studying distant objects and the nature of gravity.