Principles of Gravitational Lensing

The full beauty and complexity of the cosmos have unraveled at a rapid pace since the advent of the telescope. Today, astronomers are utilizing another sort of natural "cosmic telescope"-gravity, which can bend light rays and help us probe aspects of the universe that are otherwise invisible to us. This textbook presents the mathematical foundations of gravitational lensing, a subject that has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics. While various works on the subject have appeared, a comprehensive, yet accessible account for students has so far been lacking. Coauthors Congdon and Keeton aim to fill that gap, beginning with the basic physics of light bending and building up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way. The derivations and explanations found herein are supplemented by exercises at the end of each chapter. Background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest. Overall, the book serves as an ideal resource for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, along with seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.