How to build a telescope using gravitational lensing?

A Type II civilization on the Kardashev scale has decided to build a telescope. This civilization spans its home galaxy and wields vast energies capable of moving and shaping matter on the scale of solar masses. They have decided to use these powers to arrange black holes into a telescope the likes of which the universe has never seen. The mass of each black hole will bend the light that approaches it in an effect known as gravitational lensing. An observer looking at a black hole sees a distorted and magnified view of whatever is on the other side of the black hole. While even one black hole will provide enormous magnification our telescope enthusiasts hope that by arranging multiple black holes their telescope will become increasingly powerful. However, this won't be as simple as arranging conventional lenses because large masses focus light towards a line instead of a point. The question is, can increased magnification be achieved using multiple masses and if so, what might the arrangement look like?

How can multiple large masses be placed in space to focus the maximum amount of light onto a single point using gravity?

Some additional notes:

1. Don't worry about stability or orbital mechanics, although if the solution happens to be a Klemperer rosette or some other cool formation that's awesome.
2. I don't need any numbers, but any rough estimates of just how powerful such a telescope might be would be nifty.
3. It's ok if the telescope only works in one direction. Maybe the telescope enthusiasts are particularly interested in that one galaxy way over there. But if the telescope is omnidirectional that would be even cooler!
4. I'm aware that there may be better solutions to building "The Final Telescope" such as a galaxy-wide distributed array of receivers or a single massive dyson sphere sized receiver, but I don't care.

posted over 7 years ago

Mike Nichols‭

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