Combining gravitational lensing with new instruments capable of detecting gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals could revolutionize cosmology, astrophysics, and fundamental physics, according to a new study by an international team led by University of Birmingham scientists.
The approach, known as multi-messenger gravitational lensing, uses the ability of massive galaxies and gal by Sophie Jenkins
London UK (SPX) Jun 16, 2025
Combining gravitational lensing with new instruments capable of detecting gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals could revolutionize cosmology, astrophysics, and fundamental physics, according to a new study by an international team led by University of Birmingham scientists.
The approach, known as multi-messenger gravitational lensing, uses the ability of massive galaxies and galaxy clusters to bend space and magnify distant cosmic events. When paired with advanced detectors that capture a wide spectrum of signals-from gravitational waves to gamma rays-it enables a deeper understanding of the universe's structure and origins.
Publishing in The Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A, the researchers point out key challenges, including the difficulty of locating lensed explosions precisely and the need for collaboration across distinct scientific disciplines.
They call for enhanced cooperation, improved data sharing, innovative analysis techniques, and more sophisticated simulations to address these barriers.
"Recent advances in detector technology mean we can now observe these cosmic events across a huge range of energies and signals, from radio waves to gamma rays and gravitational waves," said Professor Graham Smith. "This innovative approach promises to deliver significant scientific breakthroughs over the next 5-10 years - allowing us to explore big questions such as the true nature of gravity, how fast the universe is expanding, the properties of dark matter, and how compact objects like black holes and neutron stars form and evolve."
Multi-messenger gravitational lensing leverages messengers ranging across 30 energy orders of magnitude, including high-energy neutrinos and gravitational waves. Upcoming observatories and surveys, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA, are expected to play central roles.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's LSST, starting in late 2025, is anticipated to transform this field. A "first look" event this summer will showcase its early sky survey results.
Professor Smith emphasized the collaborative nature of this scientific progress: "Reaching this point has been an international community effort that includes many early career researchers - creating lots of exciting future opportunities. By bringing together all these talented people, we can drive innovations and discoveries that will transform our understanding of the universe in the coming years."
Dr Gavin Lamb of Liverpool John Moores University added, "This is an ambitious vision of future science that will be revealed as our detectors get more sensitive. Something that was a novel side-thought 5 or 10 years ago is now the foundation for our next generation scientists."
Helena Ubach, a postgraduate researcher at the Universitat de Barcelona, echoed that sentiment: "I'm very excited to have had the opportunity to be part of this, and am looking forward to advances in the emerging field of Multi-messenger Gravitational Lensing in the near future."
Research Report:Multi-messenger Gravitational Lensing
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