Einstein cross

noun

A gravitational lens configuration resulting in four duplicated images of the back ground image around the central gravitationally lensing object, in a cross configuration.

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Meanings

Einstein cross1

nounEinstein cross (plural Einstein crosses)

plural Einstein crosses

  1. astronomyA gravitational lens configuration resulting in four duplicated images of the back ground image around the central gravitationally lensing object, in a cross configuration.

Einstein Cross2

proper nounthe Einstein Cross
  1. astronomyA quadruply replicated image of a quasar, in the configuration of a cross, surrounding a central foreground galaxy which caused the replication through gravitational lensing.

Origin

Einstein cross · noun

From Einstein (“Albert Einstein”) + cross. From the shape of a cross, of four points at roughly square angles around a central object, caused by distortions in the path of light's travel due to Einsteinian relativity (Albert Einstein's general relativity) creating four points out of a single light source behind the off-center central object. (An on-center central object results in an Einstein ring.).

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Einstein Cross · proper noun

A capitalization of Einstein cross.

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Cite this entry
APA

Einstein cross. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Einstein%20cross

MLA

“Einstein cross.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Einstein%20cross. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Einstein cross,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Einstein%20cross.

Source: Einstein cross on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.