Galaxies aren't scattered randomly across space. They form groups, clusters, and , creating a vast . This structure follows the , which says the universe looks the same everywhere on large scales.
Our is part of the , a small cluster of about 50 galaxies. Beyond that, larger clusters and stretch across billions of light-years, separated by enormous . This layout shapes how galaxies evolve over cosmic time.
The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
Cosmological principle in large-scale structures
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Universe appears uniform and looks the same from every location when viewed on vast cosmic scales ()
Universe appears the same in all directions when observed on immense distances ()
(CMB) radiation supports the with its nearly uniform distribution across the sky, exhibiting only minor fluctuations
Galaxies and spread out evenly on scales exceeding 300 million light-years
Cosmological principle enables cosmologists to create models of the universe assuming large-scale uniformity
Components of Local Group
Local Group comprises a small cluster of galaxies, including our Milky Way
Milky Way and (M31) dominate the Local Group as the two largest galaxies
(M33), (LMC), and (SMC) represent other significant members of the Local Group
Local Group encompasses around 50 known galaxies, primarily dwarf galaxies
Region of space approximately 10 million light-years in diameter contains the Local Group
Groups vs clusters vs superclusters
Groups of galaxies:
Contain up to 50 galaxies
Span diameters under 10 million light-years (Local Group)
Clusters of galaxies:
Contain 50 to thousands of galaxies
Span diameters from 10 to 30 million light-years ()
Observations of provide evidence for the presence of
Superclusters of galaxies:
Contain multiple galaxy clusters and groups, encompassing thousands of galaxies
Span hundreds of millions of light-years (, which includes the Milky Way)
Gravity binds groups, clusters, and superclusters together, forming the largest structures in the universe
Voids and cosmic structures
:
Enormous regions of space with few or no galaxies
Span hundreds of millions of light-years ()
:
Elongated, narrow, and relatively dense regions of galaxies
Link galaxy clusters and superclusters
Create a cosmic web-like structure
:
Immense, flat structures made up of galaxies and galaxy clusters
Span over a billion light-years in length ()
Cosmic web of filaments, walls, and voids with galaxy clusters and superclusters at their intersections characterizes the large-scale structure of the universe
Cosmic Expansion and Dark Energy
describes the relationship between a galaxy's distance and its recession velocity
of distant galaxies provides evidence for the expansion of the universe
is theorized to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe
helps astronomers study the distribution of matter in the universe, including dark matter
is influenced by the large-scale structure and expansion of the universe