Precision Mass Measurement of Quasar's Galaxy Using Gravitational Lensing

Researchers from EPFL have used gravitational lensing to determine the mass of a galaxy containing a quasar with unprecedented precision, providing insight into the evolution of galaxies in the early universe. Gravitational lensing allows us to compute the mass of the lensing object, and by combining it with quasars, researchers can measure the mass of a quasar's host galaxy. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey database was used to search for gravitational lensing quasars candidates, and the recent development of a wavelet-based lens modeling technique helped determine the mass of the objects.