The Largest Known Structure In The Universe

[AB Editor]

An international team of astronomers led by the University of Central Lancashire in the UK has discovered "the largest known structure in the universe." The team says that the recently observed large quasar group — comprised of dozens of highly energetic star-like objects — has a typical size of 500 Megaparsecs, but the size of the cluster is closer to 1200 Mpc at its widest point. To put that into perspective, the distance between our own Milky Way galaxy and Andromeda is about 0.75 Mpc.

The discovery has larger implications for the study of cosmology too. Albert Einstein’s Cosmological Principle states that the universe looks the same regardless of the observation point when viewed at a large enough scale. Einstein’s principle — combined with modern cosmological theories — suggests that astronomers shouldn’t be able to find structures larger than 370 Mpc. This particular large quasar group isn’t the only structure to question Einstein’s theory either: the team is also looking at "similar cases which add further weight to [the] challenge." The group of astronomers say that they will continue their research in the meantime.

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/15/3878252/astronomers-find-the-largest-structure-in-the-universe

No question, it's just pretty cool.

[boxtops]

why has Daisy written "So?" - so to what?

[naomi24]

Boxy, dunno.

Mibs, I still think that's what he was asking.

[mibn2cweus]

What we observe is invariably in the past in proportion to its distance from us. If this is a raw image of a 'structure' that apparently extended half way across the visible universe, what size has it acquired in the 14 billion years that have transpired since the light we now see embarked on its journey?

[naomi24]

Exactly. Don't know - but the mind boggles.

Incidentally, looking at your avatar, you're not Buzz Lightyear in disguise are you? 'To infinity and beyond!!' ;o)

[mibn2cweus]

naomi24
Boxy, dunno.

Mibs, I still think that's what he was asking.
15:19 Sat 19th Jan 2013

That's what I gathered he was asking as well, Naomi. But the follow up question about whether radio telescope imagery provides a current picture of the universe at it is now does not completely answer the question of whether the image has been adjusted to account for how it might actually be like now.

[mibn2cweus]

naomi24
Exactly. Don't know - but the mind boggles.

Incidentally, looking at your avatar, you're not Buzz Lightyear in disguise are you? 'To infinity and beyond!!' ;o)
15:39 Sat 19th Jan 2013

Being open as it is to various interpretations, it would seem to suite me quite well . . . don't you think? ;o)

[naomi24]

Erm,..... thinks ..... erm ...... the jury's still out on that one. ;o)

[mibn2cweus]

As much as I'd prefer a verdict of innocence, I realise I am none the less at the mercy of one's own personal judgment. :o)

[naomi24]

Yes indeed. :o)

[mibn2cweus]

Yikes! . . . and I can see by the look in your eye a relentless quest for a suitable target.