Retrolensing by a spherically symmetric naked singularity

Abstract

Considering a strong field limit, we investigate the retrolensing phenomenon in the vicinity of a Janis-Newman-Winicour (JNW) naked singularity embedded in a scalar field. We assume that the light rays from a nearby source are reflected by the photon sphere of the naked singularity, acting as a lens, to create a pair of images. The analytic expressions of the lensing coefficients $\bar{a}$ and $\bar{b}$ are obtained, which are scalar dependent and discordant with \cite{Bozza:2002b}. Moreover, considering the powerful supermassive black hole candidates Sgr A* and M87*, we examined the influence of the scalar field on the apparent brightness and angular positions of the parity images. Our results are highlighted in correspondence with a non-scalar field gravity, specifically the Schwarzschild gravity. We have found that the brightness increases in the presence of the scalar field, while, the lensing coefficients $\bar{a}$, $\bar{b}$, the angular positions and the angular separation of the relativistic images experience a reverse effect.