Gravitational Lensing Studies Of Quasars

Abstract

Australia's premier optical and near-IR telescopes are the 8-metre Gemini telescopes in Chile and Hawaii. We will use these superb facilties to study the structure of distant quasars. These images are enhanced by gravitational lensing, which acts as a 'natural telescope' to magnify the central region of the quasars. Our new techniques will develop our understanding of one of the most enigmatic objects in the universe. Several PhD students will be trained in both observational and theoretical astrophysics during the course of this DP.