In Stephen Baxter's novel Space, he describes a point in space called the "solar focus", where the gravitational field of the sun brings light from a distant star (in the novel, Alpha Centauri) to a focus (presumably this is an effect from general relativity).
Presumably such a point would be quite useful for observing another star system, but my question is how do you calculate where such a point is?
Any help much appreciated, thanks.
"Solar Focus"
I wondered about this myself after I read it (cracking book, btw - the prequel "Time" is also awesome).
I think the idea was that gravitational lensing from the sun's mass would bring the light from alpha centauri to a focus at that point. So presumably if Alpha C was directly behind the sun relative to the observer, that'd be where lightrays would converge.
I have no clue how to calculate it though...
I think the idea was that gravitational lensing from the sun's mass would bring the light from alpha centauri to a focus at that point. So presumably if Alpha C was directly behind the sun relative to the observer, that'd be where lightrays would converge.
I have no clue how to calculate it though...