Vade Retro Satanas, Einstein, your children became mad, they see mirages everywhere !

The first time that one showed me a gravitational lens, it was the Einstein Cross. I was impressed by the greatness and the quasi metaphysical meaning of this phenomenon. Then one showed me many others. Abell 2218 is certainly among one of the most extraordinary spectacles that the universe shows us. But let's look this famous cross together. cette fameuse croix :

Here is this object as it was showed me the first time. Source : HST.

I felt no doubt then on the nature of this object. Even though...

...Even though Jean-Claude Pecker, in the French magazine Science & Vie (special N° 189), "Les Pansements d'un Big bang fatigué" (bandage of a tired big bang) expresses some skepticism.
It's true that one should observe what the recent picture of the ESO shows us, here, some arcs.

IQ 2237+0305

 

In the night of the 10/04/1999, the 3.5 meters WIYN telescope (NOAO) takes this photograph.
It shows that the gravitational lens is centered in the core of a spiral galaxy.
This particularity attracts my attention.

Then the question that come to the fore is this one: How can the weak light, of a faraway gravitational lens, cross over the opaque "central" area of a galaxy_?
To try to settle the issue, I submit this photo to the "Torture".

Here is the result, on the left:

Fig. 1

What does the theory says ?

• The core of the galaxy, on the foreground, is the gravitational source permitting a faraway object (quasar) to appear to us under the shape of a gravitational lens. Then It is necessary that the galactic plane be sufficiently transparent so that the lens can appear very near the core. (Fig. 1)

• It is a massive object, masked by the galaxy, that is the gravitational source, which enables the lens to appear. (Fig. 2). The objection is the same as in the first case.

• The lens effect is not only caused by the core of the galaxy, but also by the mass of the galaxy. But the objection becomes even stronger: The greater the global mass of the galaxy, the more its "opacity" increases. To solve this difficulty, then it is necessary to invoke a transparent and therefore invisible hidden mass.

To know more on Gravitationnal Lensing.

• Other gravitationnal Lenses

1. Gravitational Lens PG1115+080 (Subaru)

2. Quasar PG1115+080 (HST)

3. Gravitational Lenses PRC95-43 (HST)

4. Cluster of Galaxies Abell 2218 (HST)

5. Other pictures of gravitationnal lens from the VLT

Fig. 2

What the theory doesn't say ?

• Certainly, the light of a faraway object can cross a galactic plane. There are some examples in the milky way. But, to my knowledge, never through its core.

• The object, only resembles a gravitational lens. It is something else. But what?

• Hypothesis 1: it is the core of the visible galaxy on pictures. But it is a multiple core.

• Alternative: It is the multiple picture of the unique core of this galaxy.

• Hypothesis 2: The observed effect would be provoked by an effect of refractivity in one or more " bubble(s)" of gas with gradient of density, linked to the mass of the core of the galaxy, and therefore with a gradient of refractive index. (Kerr Optical effect). These bubbles could be in expansion.

What must be explained:

• The density of one or several bubble of plasma, close to a core of galaxy can it be sufficient to permit the considered refraction effect ?

• The respective redshift of the different parts of this core (z=1.695) and this galaxy (z=0.0394), would require to search for a K effect, as it is evoked by Halton Arp. The expansion of these bubbles, could also explain these redshifts, especially if they are the seat of magnetic fields, and submissive to a fast cooling. Some Maser  or Laser phenomena (optic amplification) are also possible.

Conclusion:

The density and the gradient of matter density (gas) in cores of galaxies would be great enough to  cause refractive and detectable effects.

Most mistakes in philosophy and logic occur because of human mind is apt to take the symbol for the reality.    (Albert Einstein, Cosmic Religion, 1931)