Strong Lensing by Galaxies: Past Highlights, Current Status, and Future Prospects

Abstract

Galaxy-scale strong lensing is a powerful tool in Astrophysics and Cosmology, enabling studies of massive galaxies’ internal structure, their formation and evolution, stellar initial mass function, and cosmological parameters. In this conference proceeding, we highlight key findings from the past decade in astrophysical applications of strong lensing at the galaxy scale. We then briefly summarize the present status of discovery and analyses of new samples from recent or ongoing surveys. Finally, we offer insights into anticipated developments in the upcoming era of big data shaping the future of this field, thanks to the Rubin, Euclid, and Roman observatories.