# Strong Lensing Analysis of the Powerful Lensing Cluster MACS J2135.2-0102 ($z$=0.33)

**Authors:** Adi Zitrin, Tom Broadhurst  
**arXiv:** [1607.02119](https://arxiv.org/abs/1607.02119)  
**Date:** 2016-07-07  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1607.02119v2/

## Key points

- Zitrin and Broadhurst present a detailed analysis of the lensing cluster MACS J2135.2-0102 (MACS2135) at a redshift of 0.33.
- MACS2135 is known for hosting the Cosmic Eye galaxy lens and has been observed to multiply-lens a sub-mm galaxy near the Brightest Cluster Galaxy (BCG), as well as a triply-imaged system located approximately 37" south of the BCG.
- The authors utilize Hubble imaging data and employ a light-traces-mass (LTM) method to construct an accurate lensing model for MACS2135.
- They identify six new multiply-imaged systems within the cluster, significantly increasing the number of lensing constraints and enhancing the precision of their model.
- MACS2135 is one of the top lensing clusters known, comparable in size to the Hubble Frontier Fields.
- For a source located at a redshift of 2.32, they determine an effective Einstein radius of approximately 27" with an uncertainty of ±3", corresponding to an enclosed mass of about 1.12 ±0.16 ×10^14 solar masses.
- The authors make their lens model publicly available, including mass and magnification maps that can aid in identifying and characterizing distant galaxies within MACS2135.
- This study provides important insights into the strong gravitational lensing properties of MACS2135 and highlights its potential as an excellent target for further investigations using advanced telescopes like JWST.

## Summary

In their study, Zitrin and Broadhurst present a detailed analysis of the powerful lensing cluster MACS J2135.2-0102 (MACS2135) at a redshift of 0.33. This cluster is well-known for hosting the Cosmic Eye galaxy lens and has been observed to multiply-lens a sub-mm galaxy near the Brightest Cluster Galaxy (BCG), as well as a triply-imaged system located approximately 37" south of the BCG. To construct an accurate lensing model for MACS2135, the authors utilize the latest available Hubble imaging data and employ a light-traces-mass (LTM) method which allows them to identify six new multiply-imaged systems within the cluster. This significantly increases the number of lensing constraints and enhances the precision of their model. The results of their analysis reveal that MACS2135 is one of the top lensing clusters known, comparable in size to the Hubble Frontier Fields. For a source located at a redshift of 2.32, they determine an effective Einstein radius of approximately 27" with an uncertainty of ±3", corresponding to an enclosed mass of about 1.12 ±0.16 ×10^14 solar masses. In anticipation of future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which will be particularly valuable for studying high-redshift galaxies, Zitrin and Broadhurst make their lens model publicly available including mass and magnification maps that can aid in identifying and characterizing distant galaxies within MACS2135. Overall, this study provides important insights into the strong gravitational lensing properties of MACS2135 and highlights its potential as an excellent target for further investigations using advanced telescopes like JWST.