“A gravitational lens can do more than reveal details of the distant universe. In an unexpected collision of astrophysics and algebra, it seems that this cosmic mirage can also be used to peer into the heart of pure mathematics…At about the same time, two mathematicians were working on a seemingly unrelated problem. They were trying to extend one of the foundation stones of mathematics, called the fundamental theorem of algebra…”This kind of exchange of ideas between math and physics is important to both fields,”…Theoretically, the work is valid for any type of gravitational lens, but its practical applications are not yet clear….” Full Slice

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