Gravitational Lensing
This interactive simulator explores Gravitational Lensing in Gravity & Orbits. Massive objects bending light. Visual distortion effects. Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.
Who it's for: For learners comfortable with heavier math or second-level detail. Typical context: Gravity & Orbits.
Key terms
- gravitational
- lensing
- gravitational lensing
- gravity
- orbits
How it works
A toy **point-mass gravitational lens** in the thin-lens / weak-field picture. In the image plane, θ is the angular offset from the lens; in the source plane, β = θ (1 − θ_E² / |θ|²) (with softening ε). That is the same structure that produces an **Einstein ring** when a source lies exactly behind the lens: images pile up near |θ| = θ_E. The background grid lives in the **source** plane; what you see is how it would appear after lensing. Not a full ray-traced metric — a clear, fast 2D mapping for intuition.
Key equations
More from Gravity & Orbits
Other simulators in this category — or see all 14.
Lagrange Points L1–L5
CRTBP effective potential; L1–L5; Coriolis test particle.
Earth–Moon Tides
Equilibrium tide bulges; orbit speed; ~12.4 h spacing note.
Binary Star (circular)
COM orbits; r₁,r₂; Kepler T² ∝ a³/(M₁+M₂).
Roche Limit
Fluid d ≈ 2.456 R_p (ρ_p/ρ_s)^(1/3); vs orbit distance.
Space Elevator Tether
1D tension vs height; peak near GEO (normalized model).
Hohmann Transfer
Coplanar circles r₁,r₂; transfer ellipse; Δv₁, Δv₂ from vis-viva.