However, through the phenomenon known as «gravitational lensing,» a massive, foreground cluster of galaxies acts as a natural «zoom lens» in space by magnifying and stretching images of far more distant background galaxies. (sciencedaily.com)
Montes» team used the Hubble data to probe the environment of the foreground cluster itself. (sciencedaily.com)
In the end success was secured by the fact that the stone - dead galaxy was positioned behind a foreground cluster of other galaxies — a cluster which functioned as a «natural lens» by amplifying as well as enlarging the image of MACS2129 - 1. (sciencedaily.com)