The galaxies and galaxy clusters that act like giant magnifying glasses are called gravitational lenses, and how they reshape distant objects is a function of how their mass is distributed and how they are aligned with the background system. These natural lenses were predicted by Albert Einstein, who theorized that in just the right circumstances, an object could be twisted into a ring.

In a newly released Hubble image, this kind of Einstein ring appears to be decorated with four gems. In the center are two massive galaxies whose combined gravity distorts a single background galaxy into a ring and four bright spots. Hundreds of Einstein rings have been discovered, but we here at Daily Space have labeled this the cutest Einstein Ring of all.

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ESA image release