Cosmic discovery: 23-million-light-year gas structure found
Ever wondered what’s drifting through the vastness of the universe? Researchers from Leiden have uncovered an impressive piece of the cosmic puzzle. Astronomers at Leiden University have discovered a gigantic ‘gas filament’; a structure of hot gas stretching across no less than 23 million light-years, as calculated by the European Space Agency (ESA). This discovery is remarkable not only because of its scale, but also because it provides scientific evidence of a part of the universe that has remained largely invisible until now.
Hidden matter in the universe comes into view
The universe is not composed solely of visible objects such as stars, planets and galaxies. In fact, what we are able to observe makes up only a small fraction of the total. A significant part of the cosmos consists of dark matter and dark energy, which are types of matter and force that cannot be seen directly. Their existence is inferred from the effects they have on their surroundings. In addition to this, a large proportion of the so-called normal matter — the matter that should theoretically be visible — has also not yet been fully accounted for. Scientists have long believed that 30 to 40 per cent of this matter is located in regions that are extremely difficult to observe, such as the vast spaces between galaxies. The recently discovered gas filament appears to consist exactly of this hidden and previously undetected matter.
Revealing the invisible through collaboration
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The gas filament, discovered with the help of the XMM-Newton space telescope and Japan’s Suzaku satellite, connects four distinct groups of galaxies. This finding supports the concept of the cosmic web, a vast network of matter that interlinks the universe on its largest scales.
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According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the research demonstrates that even the densest and most extreme structures in the universe are interconnected, despite the vast distances that separate them.
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The discovery is the result of international collaboration between researchers from the Netherlands, Germany, France and Finland. It highlights the importance of advanced space technology, as well as sustained, long-term cooperation within the scientific community.
Publication with impact
The full study detailing this remarkable discovery will be published shortly in 'Astronomy & Astrophysics', an internationally recognised journal in the field of astronomy. This breakthrough is not only a milestone for the field, but also a source of pride for Leiden as a city of science.