Astrophysics (Index)About

cosmic web

(dark matter web)
(hypothesized structure of the dark matter throughout the universe)

The term cosmic web is used for a theorized large scale structure of the universe consisting of points of high dark matter density (where galaxies and galaxy clusters invariably form) and dark matter filaments (relatively thin strands of dark matter) joining them, embedded in space throughout the universe, the term void referring to one of the more-empty parts of the universe between them. The structure is ever-changing due to gravitational interaction (the changes very slow compared to human lifetimes). This picture of the universe stems from (or, at minimum, has been highly supported by) cosmological simulations. The general idea is that the position of major astronomical objects we see (galaxies, clusters) are attached to this underlying structure by gravitational attraction.


(physics,dark matter,gravity)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable_universe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Void_(astronomy)
https://www.science.org/content/article/clues-about-cosmic-web
https://noirlab.edu/public/images/geminiann04007a/
https://ecuip.lib.uchicago.edu/multiwavelength-astronomy/ultraviolet/science/08.html
https://subarutelescope.org/en/results/2014/12/02/2383.html

Referenced by pages:
dark matter filament
filament
galaxy filament
Keck Observatory
large scale structure (LSS)
structure formation

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