A Giant Structure in Space Challenges Our Understanding of The Universe

[Judi Lynn]

A Giant Structure in Space Challenges Our Understanding of The Universe
28 October 2024
ByMichelle Starr



An artist's impression of the size and location of the Big Ring (blue) and Giant Arc (red) in the sky. (University of Central Lancashire/Stellarium)

A colossal structure in the distant Universe is defying our understanding of how the Universe evolved.

In light that has traveled for 6.9 billion years to reach us, astronomers have found a giant, almost perfect ring of galaxies, some 1.3 billion light-years in diameter. It doesn't match any known structure or formation mechanism.

The Big Ring, as the structure has been named, could mean that we need to amend the standard model of cosmology.

The discovery, led by astronomer Alexia Lopez of the University of Central Lancashire, was presented at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January, and has been published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.



The Big Ring (blue) and Giant Arc (red). (University of Central Lancashire)

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-giant-structure-in-space-challenges-our-understanding-of-the-universe

[erronis]

1. I haven't read the article (will), but doesn't the shape of the ring and arc depend on your viewing perspective?

Give the trillions (more?) of visible objects in the universe it seems that we can choose some groups that have interesting characteristics. Just like animals in the clouds and men on the moon.

Thanks. Now diving in.....

[BadgerKid]

2. All the same distance though...maybe gravitational lensing?

[erronis]

3. Seems like a reasonable hypothesis. I'd hope the real scientists have already looked at this.

Of course for these images to be gravitationally-lensed over the huge time-frame and distance might imply there is some interesting object in between causing the lensing.

Oh, science. Keep me away from the political shitstorm.