Definitions for "Gravitational lens"
A consequence of the ability of gravity to bend the path of light rays. Astronomers have observed that the light from a distant galaxy or star can be "lensed" by the gravitational fields of intervening objects to form multiple, typically distorted images of the background object.
A massive object in space (like a galaxy) that warps space and bends light that passes by it, due to the gravitational forces of the massive object.
a natural phenomenon in space that enables ground-based observers to detect galaxies billions of light years away