Discovery of the largest structure in the universe

(CLO) Astronomers have just discovered a giant superstructure in the universe, whose size far exceeds any galaxy cluster that has ever been accurately measured before.

Dubbed "Quipu", the structure consists of 68 galaxy clusters, with a combined mass of about 2.4 × 10^17 solar masses, spanning 1.4 billion light-years – significantly larger than the Sloan Great Wall (1.1 billion light-years), once considered one of the largest structures in the universe.

About a thousand galaxies form a single galaxy cluster. Image: ESA

A team led by Hans Böhringer from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics discovered Quipu using data from the ROSAT X-ray satellite.

By analyzing the energetic radiation emitted by galaxy clusters, they created a three-dimensional map of how matter in the universe is distributed. Looking at an area between 416 and 826 million light-years from Earth, they identified a giant structure stretching from north to south, shaped like a long chain with many small branches.

The researchers named it Quipu, inspired by the ancient Inca knotting system. The name is not only symbolic, but also reflects the way the galaxy clusters are linked together in a unique pattern.

According to the cosmological principle, if the universe is observed on a very large scale, matter should be distributed relatively evenly. However, the existence of Quipu raises questions about the validity of this hypothesis.

Some scientists say giant structures like Quipu could shake traditional views of the universe, while others warn that previous studies may have observed too small a part of the universe and drawn misleading conclusions.

The discovery of Quipu is not only of theoretical significance, but also has a direct impact on the way important parameters of the universe are calculated. Massive superclusters of galaxies like this can bend light, affecting measurements of the expansion rate of the universe and the Hubble constant.

This discovery shows that the universe still has many mysteries to uncover . Astronomers hope that with further surveys, they will be able to find even larger megastructures, helping to confirm or even change current theoretical models of how matter is distributed and the universe expands.

Ngoc Anh (according to Earth, SciTechDaily)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phat-hien-cau-truc-lon-nhat-trong-vu-tru-post336861.html