James Webb Telescope Captures Stunning Quasar 'Einstein Ring'

New image reveals gravitational lensing effects, magnifies distant quasar RX J1131-1231, and provides insights into black hole growth and dark matter.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a detailed image of quasar RX J1131-1231, located six billion light-years away.
Gravitational lensing, caused by a foreground galaxy, creates a bright arc and multiple images of the quasar, resembling a jeweled ring.
The quasar's black hole is spinning at more than half the speed of light, suggesting growth through galactic mergers.
JWST's observations help astronomers study the properties of dark matter and the mass composition of the universe.
This image is part of a broader effort to understand the formation and evolution of black holes and distant galaxies.