Editing Einstein ring (section)

{{short description|Feature seen when light is gravitationally lensed by an object}}
[[File:Close-up of the Einstein ring around galaxy NGC 6505 ESA506346.jpg|thumb|Einstein ring, created by a nearer galaxy ([[NGC 6505]]) distorting light of a distant galaxy. Four images of the distant galaxy, corresponding to four bright spots, can be seen in this picture.]]
{{Gravitational Lensing}}

An '''Einstein ring''', also known as an '''Einstein–Chwolson ring''' or '''Chwolson ring''' (named for [[Orest Khvolson|Orest Chwolson]]), is created when light from a [[galaxy]] or [[star]] passes by a massive object en route to the Earth. Due to [[gravitational lens]]ing, the light is diverted, making it seem to come from different places. If source, lens, and observer are all in perfect alignment (''[[Syzygy (astronomy)|syzygy]]''), the light appears as a ring.