Gravity lense or permittivity change?

[FrankM]

How does an astronomer tell the difference between what he calls a "gravity lense" and what might be an area with an increased permittivity?

[Jay-qu]

So you mean how do you tell the difference if light is bent due to refraction or if its due to gravity?

 

Well increased permitttivity normally occurs in the presence of matter, in an astronomical enviroment this may happen due to an atmosphere of a planet. In this case I dont think that a measurable effect would be detectable from our distance. But with a gravity lens the effect is over a much larger area and would be detectable from Earth.

[Janus]

Also, light bending via refraction would result in chromatic aberration, where the different frequencies separate( the same prismatic effect you get with cheap optical equipment.).

 

Gravity lensing does not result in chromatic aberration.

[FrankM]

I get the impression from the two responses that "gravity lenses" being able to bend light is a fact not a theory. I provide the postulate that "permittivity" is a function of the distance from a star just as we have determind that is a characteristic of gravity, and it is the increased permittivity close to a star is what causes light lensing.

 

Well increased permitttivity normally occurs in the presence of matter, in an astronomical enviroment this may happen due to an atmosphere of a planet.

Based upon the above supposition, the largest source of material in our solar system is the Sun, and this should qualify as a source of particulate matter and increased permittivity as one gets closer to it. We know the presence of various types of matter increases permittivity, but there is permittivity without matter.

 

The only place permittivity has been measured is on the earth's surface, and, from the way it was measured, it was determined to have impedance without the benefit of any known matter. If the Sun is the primary source for permittivity in the solar system this could be determined by measurement, but not on the earth's surface. If they would bother to send measurement apparatus on some of the various spacecraft it could be determined at different distances from the Sun.

 

We know that permittivity increases with the presence of matter, and in those materials that permit specific frequencies of light to propagate we know they can be shaped to focus, disperse or to chromatically separate different frequencies of light. Do we know if the permittivity (or even gravity) surrounding a star is perfectly spherical.

 

I would think the scientific/astronomical communities would want to know if permittivity varies as a function of the distance from the Sun, but from some of my communications there seems to be a reluctance to do this.