Astronomers have discovered what is now considered the largest known structure in the universe, a colossal web of galaxies and galaxy clusters spanning 1.3 billion light-years.
What is ‘Quipu’ and why is it important?
The structure has been named “Quipu”, inspired by the Incan system of knotted cords used for record-keeping.
According to Phys.Org, Quipu is classified as a superstructure, which means it is a vast formation that connects multiple galaxy clusters and superclusters.
To put its scale into perspective, it holds approximately:
- 45% of the universe’s known galaxy clusters
- 30% of all galaxies
- 25% of all matter in the universe
- 13% of the universe’s total volume
Its sheer size challenges existing models of how the universe evolved, as structures of this magnitude were not predicted to form so early in cosmic history.
How was Quipu discovered?
Astronomers used data from the CLASSIX Cluster Survey, a project that maps out the large-scale structure of the universe by detecting X-ray emissions from galaxy clusters.
Galaxy clusters, which contain hundreds or even thousands of galaxies, emit strong X-rays due to the high-energy interactions of hot gas and gravitational forces.
By analysing these signals, scientists were able to trace the connections between clusters, eventually revealing Quipu as an enormous cosmic network.
This discovery also required the use of gravitational lensing techniques, where light from distant galaxies bends around massive objects, allowing astronomers to infer the distribution of hidden matter in the structure.
What does Quipu mean for our understanding of the universe?
The existence of a structure as vast as Quipu has major implications for cosmology:
- Challenging standard cosmological models: Current theories suggest that the universe’s large-scale structure formed through a gradual process of gravity pulling matter together over billions of years. However, Quipu’s size and complexity indicate that massive structures may have formed much earlier than expected.
- Affecting cosmic background radiation: Structures like Quipu influence how we measure the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), which is the afterglow of the Big Bang. Their gravitational pull can subtly alter light travelling across space, leading to potential adjustments in how we interpret cosmological data.
- Impacting the measurement of the universe’s expansion: The Hubble constant, which describes how fast the universe is expanding, could be affected by Quipu’s gravitational influence on light and matter. This could lead to refinements in the measurement of the universe’s age and expansion rate.
What’s next for the study of Quipu?
Scientists plan to conduct deeper observational studies using next-generation telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the upcoming Euclid mission, which will map dark matter and cosmic structures in greater detail.
Researchers are particularly interested in how Quipu interacts with surrounding matter and dark energy, the mysterious force responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.
For now, Quipu stands as a groundbreaking discovery, revealing just how much we still have to learn about the cosmic web that binds the universe together.
