Astronomy & Space Science · AST-470
Gravitational Lensing, Redshift & Time Dilation: Advanced Connections
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Overview
Advanced view of Gravitational Lensing, Redshift & Time Dilation
Curved spacetime changes the paths of light and the rates of clocks. Gravitational lensing bends light around mass, gravitational redshift reduces photon frequency as radiation climbs out of a gravitational potential, and gravitational time dilation causes clocks deeper in gravity to accumulate less proper time than clocks farther away.
These effects map dark matter, measure galaxy-cluster mass, discover exoplanets through microlensing, test relativity, correct navigation systems, and probe compact objects.
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References & evidence
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- 01Black Holes and Curved Spacetime — SummaryOpen source ↗
OpenStax Astronomy 2e
View claim-by-claim traceability3 verified claims
Photons follow null geodesics through curved spacetime.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Solar-eclipse and radio observations confirm light deflection, galaxy clusters produce dramatic gravitational arcs, atomic clocks show gravitational time shifts over small height differences, and compact-star spectra can exhibit gravitational redshift.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Curved spacetime changes the paths of light and the rates of clocks.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026