The Einstein Cross or Q2237+030 or QSO 2237+0305 is a gravitationally lensed quasar that sits directly behind ZW 2237+030, Huchra's Lens. Four images of the same distant quasar appear around a foreground galaxy due to strong gravitational lensing.
The quasar is located about 8 billion light years from Earth, while the lensing galaxy is located at a distance of 400 million light years. The apparent dimension of this galaxy is 0.87x0.34 arcminutes, while the apparent dimension of the cross in its center accounts for only 1.6x1.6 arcseconds.
The Einstein Cross can be found in Pegasus at 22h40m30.3s +3d21m31s.
The individual images are labelled A through D (i.e. QSO 2237+0305 A), the lensing galaxy is sometimes referred to as QSO 2237+0305 G.
Famous quotes containing the words einstein and/or cross:
“God is subtle, but he is not malicious.
[Raffiniert ist der Herr Gott, aber boshaft ist er nicht.]”
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
“The point is to show who is the cross and who the crucified.”
—Max Frisch (1911–1991)