Light Can Zigzag Between Galaxies

Light can take a zigzag route through space. In J1721+8842, the light paths associated with images D and F bend in opposite directions at two intervening galaxies. First the more distant galaxy, then the nearer one, before reaching us. Watch the full ASTROLECT investigation: Can We Really Trust What We See In Space? The 3D paths are schematic scientific illustrations. The other images do not all share this distinctive zigzag pattern. VISUAL CREDITS NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center — Webb spacecraft animation. https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13549/ Original 3D visualization and editing: ASTROLECT. SCIENTIFIC SOURCE F. Dux, M. Millon et al., Astronomy & Astrophysics 694, A300 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202452970 #Space #JamesWebb #Astronomy