Gravitational lensing is created by incredibly massive objects in space, yet
it can successfully be re-created in the laboratory environment. An analogous
experiment can be performed where, instead of gravity, glass creates the
distortion. By shining concentrated light from a light source through the feet
of glass stemware to distort that light, we were able to simulate gravitational
lensing. We were also able to compare our laboratory data of points, twins,
Einstein rings, and Einstein crosses with real astronomical data. Our
experimental images closely approximated true astronomical findings.
Using this knowledge it may be possible to learn more about the effect of
galaxies, quasars, and other astronomical objects on gravitational lensing.
Data observed with the aid of telescopes can be used to clarify our laboratory
model. It remains equally important to note that images observed in the
laboratory may represent images that are caused by gravitational lensing but
have not yet been observed experimentally by astrophysicists or astronomers.
Experimenting with the laboratory modeling complements astronomical observation
in the process of understanding more about gravitational lensing.