Abell 2218

Abell 2218 is a distant galaxy cluster made somewhat famous by the HST image (see below) showing the arcs of  light that were gravitationally lensed by the cluster.  This image is one of the deepest amateur exposures of the universe to date and is a combination of four images from the following sources:

1. Adam Block and Jack Harvey: 20” RCOS; ST-10XME; 265 min; FWHM 1.8”
2. Stan Moore: 14.5” RCOS; ST-10XE; 660 min; FWHM 2.0”
3. SSRO: 16” RCOS; ST-10XME; 300 min; FWHM 2.6”
4. Ron Wodaski: 20” RCOS; ST-11k; 150 min; FWHM 2.7”

Thanks to Stan Moore to putting the data together!

Another very deep amateur image of a quasar CFHQS J1641 +3755 by Johannes Schedler.  The Abell 2218 magnitude was estimated at approximately 24.7, while Johanne's quasar is estimated to be approaching 25.

Compare the inset from the amateur image above with the Hubble image below to see if you can see the telltale arcs of gravitational lensing.