New Global VLBI observations of the gravitational lensing system MG J0414+0534

TL;DR

This paper presents high-resolution VLBI observations of the gravitational lens system MG J0414+0534, revealing detailed imaging and a preliminary lens model that enhance understanding of the system's structure and lensing effects.

Contribution

First high-resolution VLBI imaging of MG J0414+0534 at 18 cm, providing new insights into its lensing geometry and a preliminary mass model.

Findings

Resolved four images of the background quasar.

Detected a partial Einstein ring at optical wavelengths.

Developed a preliminary lens model based on VLBI data.

Abstract

The gravitational lens system MG J0414+0534 is formed by an elliptical galaxy at redshift ~0.96 and a quasar at z~2.64. The system geometry is typical of lensing by an elliptical galaxy with the QSO close to and inside a fold caustic. It shows 4 images of the background source, and a partial Einstein ring is visible at optical wavelengths. It was observed with a global-VLBI array at 18 cm in June 2008. We present here the imaging results and a preliminary lens model constrained by these observations.