H2: Structure of the Laniakea Supercluster
The Laniakea supercluster, also known as the "Laniakea Supercluster of Galaxies" or "SCI Supercluster," is a supercluster containing the Milky Way and approximately 100,000 other galaxies.
For most people, it may be difficult to imagine that the Milky Way is but a wisp in this "cloud" structure. As the largest supercluster in which the Milky Way resides, the Laniakea supercluster has a diameter of 520 million light-years and contains an estimated 100,000 galaxies.
H3: A Hierarchical Framework
To grasp the magnitude of the Laniakea supercluster, it's helpful to consider the hierarchical relationship between cosmic structures:
- The next level up from the Solar System is the Milky Way galaxy.
- The Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy are both part of the Local Group of galaxies, which has a diameter of approximately 10 million light-years or more.
- The next level up is the Virgo Supercluster, held together by gravitational forces. This supercluster contains over 1,300 galaxies and has a diameter of over 65 million light-years.
- Expanding further, we encounter multiple superclusters containing galaxy clusters, such as the Virgo Supercluster with a radius of 100 million light-years and containing nearly 100 galaxy clusters.
H2: The Supercluster's Dominance
The Laniakea supercluster dwarfs these structures in size. It is estimated to contain at least 100,000 galaxies and has a diameter of 520 million light-years.
Moreover, its mass is equally staggering, reaching approximately 100,000 times that of the Milky Way. This makes our Solar System, already minuscule in comparison to the Milky Way, even more insignificant within this vast structure.
H3: A Cosmic Behemoth
The sheer size of the Laniakea supercluster renders it a colossal behemoth within the cosmos. Its form is believed to be distinct, hosting numerous galaxy clusters such as the Virgo Cluster, the Centaurus Cluster, and the Hydra Cluster.
Discovery and Ongoing Research
The existence of the Laniakea supercluster was confirmed in 2014 by scientists at the University of Hawaii. By mapping the positions of over 8,000 galaxies in the Milky Way's vicinity and using the relative motion inferred from their redshift, they determined the presence of the Laniakea supercluster.
The name "Laniakea" comes from the Hawaiian language, meaning "immeasurable heaven." The Polynesian navigators used this term for their astronomical knowledge, which guided them across vast oceans.
H2: The Great Attractor at its Core
While the Laniakea supercluster is vast, it is not the largest structure in the universe. However, what truly sets it apart is the "Great Attractor" at its core.
The gravitational pull of the Laniakea supercluster is immense, drawing nearby galaxies towards it. This includes the Milky Way and the Local Group.
The existence of the Great Attractor has sparked a fear among some scientists that its gravitational force could pose a threat to nearby galaxies. However, it is believed that the expansion of the universe and the presence of dark matter will prevent galaxies from being consumed by the Great Attractor.
H3: A Microcosm of Cosmic Order
The hierarchical structure of the universe is evident in the Laniakea supercluster. Moreover, its filamentary shape resembles structures found at the micro level, such as blood vessels or neural networks. This suggests a possible underlying pattern or process shaping the universe at both large and small scales.
In conclusion, the Laniakea supercluster is a awe-inspiring cosmic structure with a hierarchical organization and a gravitational pull that shapes the movement of nearby galaxies. Its discovery provides insights into the large-scale structure of the universe and prompts further exploration of the cosmic web.