We're currently searching for multiple quasar images caused by gravitational lensing. The rationale is that the widest-separation multiple images are created by the most massive cosmological structures in the Universe. By measuring the incidence of lensing events we can test our understanding of the distribution of very massive objects (such as clusters of galaxies) and our understanding of the distribution of mass within those objects (the probability of lensing depends on this mass distribution quite strongly). This approach can't compete with cosmic microwave background measurements if we want to measure cosmological parameters, but it can act as an independent test of our understanding of how massive structures form and grow with cosmic time.

The program has both observational and analytical aspects. Spectroscopic and imaging observations are made at the AAT, WHT, VLT and Magellan telescopes. We are also producing increasingly sophisticated calculations of cosmological lensing probability.

with collaborators:

Ana Lopes, Edd Edmondson, Lee Clewley, Chris Impey and Andy Marble.

Relevant personal publications

Back to Lance Miller's research page.