Abell 370: Galaxy Cluster Gravitational Lens
Explanation: What is that strange arc? While imaging the cluster of galaxies Abell 370, astronomers had noted an unusual arc to the right of many cluster galaxies. Although curious, one initial response was to avoid commenting on the arc because nothing like it had ever been noted before. In the mid-1980s, however, better images allowed astronomers to identify the arc as a prototype of a new kind of astrophysical phenomenon -- the gravitational lens effect of entire cluster of galaxies on background galaxies. Today, we know that this arc actually consists of two distorted images of a fairly normal galaxy that happened to lie far behind the huge cluster. Abell 370's gravity caused the background galaxies' light -- and others -- to spread out and come to the observer along multiple paths, not unlike a distant light appears through the stem of a wine glass. In mid-July, astronomers used the just-upgraded Hubble Space Telescope to image Abell 370 and its gravitational lens images in unprecedented detail. Almost all of the yellow images pictured above are galaxies in the Abell 370 cluster. An astute eye can pick up many strange arcs and distorted arclets, however, that are actually images of more distant galaxies. Studying Abell 370 and its images gives astronomers a unique window into the distribution of normal and dark matter in galaxy clusters and the universe.
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Supper at the Mikroikia. The five sat at the rectangular table away from the bar area and in the darkest corner. A variety of fish, a Mediterranean salad and local red wine were in their collective thoughts about so that is what they had, another of the most satisfying meals they had ever tasted.
Salamon, Marios and Thales sat on a long bench looking out at the others and the window and entrance beyond while Kassi and Sophia sat on the beach on the opposite side of the table facing the men and the back wall.
From an outsider’s perspective it would appear that this small lively family restaurant was serving food on invisible dishes and in invisible glasses, giving the appearance of a pleasing pantomime of gustatory delight being enjoyed by all. Conversation, focusing on the eyes and facial expressions of the person talking; listening skills honing in on the marvelous sounds of the human voice, that is what sitting around the table is all about when Dead. The voice and face are what keep the people conscious of others as well as themselves. Living solely in one’s own thoughts produces a silent agony that drives them to this comradery. Instead of sharing food, they share themselves.
Unknown to those in the establishment another guest sat on the bench directly across from Marios, a wingless being the size and appearance of a small woman child if she were noticed. Cherub-like, she listened closely to the conversation of the hour. She is Metis, the Titaness, the first wife of Zeus, the morally wise counselor, the mother of Athena and maker of her daughter’s armor, who is forever bound to the belly of Zeus, swallowed, but never eaten and digested.
Now, she thought, here I am at supper to digest this dinner-held dead human strategy while my unsuspecting Athena prepares with the marriage-feasting Hera. As Metis listened she found herself struck with the injustice that had befallen these of human innocence. They had arrived Here through their trials and inspired good works in life. Their goal was to visit their great grandchildren and to tell them how it was in this Place, to give them added hope that the children could eventually build a better world for all the children of the world.
A sudden streak of empathy with the humans bolted Zeus directly. And, beyond this he realized this innocent human hope of good will to children all was beyond his station as King thinking: these are mere translucent creatures, the flawed remains of good will that have passed beyond the physical realms.
The End of Chapter Two of the fourth book in the Merlyn’s Mind series ©2009
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