Difference between revisions of "TFNR - Cosmic megastructures"
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Significance of Cosmic Megastructures | Significance of Cosmic Megastructures | ||
These structures challenge our understanding of the universe’s large-scale organization. Some, like the Big Ring, defy conventional cosmological models, suggesting that the universe may not be as homogeneous as previously thought. Their discovery raises questions about the formation and evolution of cosmic structures, potentially requiring new theoretical frameworks. | These structures challenge our understanding of the universe’s large-scale organization. Some, like the Big Ring, defy conventional cosmological models, suggesting that the universe may not be as homogeneous as previously thought. Their discovery raises questions about the formation and evolution of cosmic structures, potentially requiring new theoretical frameworks. | ||
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| + | Cosmic megastructures can be classified based on their scale, composition, and formation processes. Here’s a structured classification: | ||
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| + | 1. Galactic Megastructures | ||
| + | Galaxy Groups – Small collections of galaxies bound by gravity (e.g., the Local Group). | ||
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| + | Galaxy Clusters – Larger assemblies of hundreds to thousands of galaxies (e.g., the Coma Cluster). | ||
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| + | Superclusters – Massive groupings of galaxy clusters (e.g., the Laniakea Supercluster). | ||
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| + | 2. Large-Scale Cosmic Structures | ||
| + | Cosmic Filaments – Thread-like structures connecting galaxy clusters, forming the cosmic web. | ||
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| + | Galactic Walls – Vast sheets of galaxies, such as the Sloan Great Wall and South Pole Wall. | ||
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| + | Voids – Enormous empty regions with very few galaxies, like the Bootes Void. | ||
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| + | 3. Extreme Megastructures | ||
| + | Large Quasar Groups (LQGs) – Massive quasar formations, such as the Huge-LQG. | ||
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| + | Gamma-Ray Burst Structures – Enormous formations detected via gamma-ray bursts, like the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall. | ||
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| + | Supervoids – Exceptionally large voids, such as the Cold Spot Supervoid. | ||
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| + | These structures define the universe’s large-scale organization, influencing cosmic evolution and matter distribution | ||
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Revision as of 18:28, 5 May 2025
Cosmic megastructures are the largest known formations in the universe, spanning billions of light-years and shaping the large-scale structure of the cosmos. These immense structures are composed of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and dark matter, forming a vast cosmic web.
Examples of Cosmic Megastructures Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall – One of the largest known structures, spanning 9.7–10 billion light-years. It was discovered through gamma-ray burst mapping and remains a subject of debate.
Giant GRB Ring – A massive ring-shaped structure, approximately 5.6 billion light-years across. It challenges existing cosmological theories.
Huge-LQG (Large Quasar Group) – A collection of 73 quasars, extending 4 billion light-years.
Sloan Great Wall – A vast filament of galaxies, stretching 1.38 billion light-years.
South Pole Wall – A contiguous feature in the local universe, comparable in size to the Sloan Great Wall.
Quipu Superstructure – The largest cosmic superstructure ever observed, spanning over 400 megaparsecs (approximately 1.3 billion light-years) and containing an immense network of galaxy clusters.
Significance of Cosmic Megastructures These structures challenge our understanding of the universe’s large-scale organization. Some, like the Big Ring, defy conventional cosmological models, suggesting that the universe may not be as homogeneous as previously thought. Their discovery raises questions about the formation and evolution of cosmic structures, potentially requiring new theoretical frameworks.
Cosmic megastructures can be classified based on their scale, composition, and formation processes. Here’s a structured classification:
1. Galactic Megastructures Galaxy Groups – Small collections of galaxies bound by gravity (e.g., the Local Group).
Galaxy Clusters – Larger assemblies of hundreds to thousands of galaxies (e.g., the Coma Cluster).
Superclusters – Massive groupings of galaxy clusters (e.g., the Laniakea Supercluster).
2. Large-Scale Cosmic Structures Cosmic Filaments – Thread-like structures connecting galaxy clusters, forming the cosmic web.
Galactic Walls – Vast sheets of galaxies, such as the Sloan Great Wall and South Pole Wall.
Voids – Enormous empty regions with very few galaxies, like the Bootes Void.
3. Extreme Megastructures Large Quasar Groups (LQGs) – Massive quasar formations, such as the Huge-LQG.
Gamma-Ray Burst Structures – Enormous formations detected via gamma-ray bursts, like the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall.
Supervoids – Exceptionally large voids, such as the Cold Spot Supervoid.
These structures define the universe’s large-scale organization, influencing cosmic evolution and matter distribution
Common def
List
Giant Voids
Cosmic Web
Links to the tables of contents of TFNR Paper
