Galaxy-size shock waves found rattling the cosmic web -- the largest structure in the universe

[Judi Lynn]

By Ben Turner published about 7 hours ago

Astronomers have detected enormous shockwaves rattling the cosmic web that connects all galaxies in the universe, offering vital clues on how the largest structures in space were shaped.



A simulation of the cosmic web showing shock waves producing radio waves (pink) as they crash through magnetic fields (blue). (Image credit: F. Vazza/D. Wittor/J. West)

For the first time, astronomers have spotted enormous, galaxy-scale shock waves rattling the "cosmic web" that connects nearly all known galaxies. These cosmic waves could reveal clues about how the largest objects in the universe were sculpted.

The discovery was made by stitching and stacking thousands of radio telescope images together, which revealed the soft "radio glow" produced by shock waves from colliding matter in our universe's biggest structures.

The cosmic web is a gigantic network of crisscrossing celestial superhighways paved with hydrogen gas and dark matter. Galaxies tend to form where multiple strands of the web intersect, often in clusters numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Now a new study, published Feb. 15 in the journal Science(opens in new tab), could provide vital clues into the nature of the mysterious magnetic fields that stretch beside these tendrils.

"Magnetic fields pervade the universe — from planets and stars to the largest spaces in-between galaxies," lead author Tessa Vernstrom(opens in new tab), an astronomer at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research in Crawley, Australia, said in a statement(opens in new tab). "However, many aspects of cosmic magnetism are not yet fully understood, especially at the scales seen in the cosmic web."

More:
https://www.livescience.com/galaxy-size-shock-waves-found-rattling-the-cosmic-web-the-largest-structure-in-the-universe

[Alice Kramden]

1. Fascinating - many thanks

You find the most amazing interesting stuff, Judi Lynn

[Judi Lynn]

2. These articles are always totally unexpected, there's unbelievable progress continually.

It's a real experience just stumbling across them, Alice Kramden.

Thank you, so much.

[Alice Kramden]

3. :)