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Judi Lynn

(162,385 posts)
Wed Mar 20, 2024, 02:04 PM Mar 2024

Scientists find galaxy supercluster as massive as 26 quadrillion suns

By Robert Lea published 4 hours ago

The Einasto Supercluster is so vast that it would take a light signal 360 million years to get from one end to the other.



A black screen with lots of golden speckled dots. One area of the scene is zoomed-in with a box to the right.
The Einasto supercluster located 3 billion light-years away and containing a mass equivelent to 26 quadrillion suns (Image credit: Shishir Sankhyayan)

Astronomers have discovered a cavalcade of monster galaxy superclusters, incredibly massive collections of galaxies and galaxy clusters in the universe.

The most striking example of these 662 new superclusters is located around 3 billion light-years away from Earth and has been named the "Einasto Supercluster." This particular supercluster is named in honor of Estonian astrophysicist Jaan Einasto, one of the discoverers of the large-scale structure of the universe.

The Einasto Supercluster is staggering in terms of its sheer size and mass. It contains the same mass as around 26 quadrillion suns (26 followed by 15 zeroes). This supercluster is so vast, in fact, that it would take a light signal 360 million years to travel from one side of it to the other.

The findings could help scientists better understand how these vast collections of galaxies come together. Down the line, it could also help answer questions about dark matter and dark energy.

More:
https://www.space.com/einasto-supercluster-galaxy-26-quadrillion-suns

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Scientists find galaxy supercluster as massive as 26 quadrillion suns (Original Post) Judi Lynn Mar 2024 OP
GEEZ, that's a lot of mass!! lastlib Mar 2024 #1
... Faux pas Mar 2024 #2
wow. mom! i cant count that high. thats a lot of stars . AllaN01Bear Mar 2024 #3
Mind blowing Bayard Mar 2024 #4
Science is freaking awesome. NoMoreRepugs Mar 2024 #5

lastlib

(24,915 posts)
1. GEEZ, that's a lot of mass!!
Wed Mar 20, 2024, 02:11 PM
Mar 2024

Our "pale blue dot" becomes smaller and less significant every day.

Thank you, Judi! Your posts are informative, and a lot of fun! - - -

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