The gravitational lens effect was first derived by Albert Einstein,[1] and the concept of a mission to the solar gravitational lens was first suggested by professor Von Eshleman,[2] and analyzed further by Italian astronomer Claudio Maccone[3] and others.
[5] Maccone suggests that this should be enough to obtain detailed images of the surfaces of extrasolar planets.
[3]: 18–22 It could also study the interstellar medium,[3]: 22 the heliosphere,[3]: 27 observe gravitational waves,[3]: 25 check for the possible variation of the gravitational constant,[3]: 25 observe the cosmic infrared background,[3]: 26 characterise interplanetary dust within the Solar System,[3]: 27–28 more precisely measure the mass of the Solar System[3]: 26 and similar.
[7] A gravity lens will bend objects behind it, so that images from the telescope would be difficult to interpret.
[8] Some of the problems Landis points out include discussion of the interference of the solar corona, which will make the telescope signal-to-noise ratio poor, the high magnification of the target, which will make the design of the mission focal plane difficult, and an analysis of the inherent spherical aberration of the lens will limit the resolution possible.