The Press Stories
Title: Astronomers Unveil Extraordinary “Bubble of Galaxies” from the Early Universe
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have stumbled upon a magnificent cosmic structure known as the first-ever “bubble of galaxies,” shedding new light on the ancient origins of our universe. Measuring an astonishing billion light years in width, this colossal bubble is a towering 10,000 times wider than our very own Milky Way galaxy.
Remarkably, despite its immense proportions, the bubble is surprisingly nearby, situated a mere 820 million light years away from our own galactic home. Described as a spherical shell with a core, this extraordinary structure harbors the Bootes supercluster of galaxies whilst being surrounded by an expansive emptiness known as “the Great Nothing.”
Additional analysis has revealed that the shell also houses various known galaxy superclusters, including the Sloan Great Wall. By confirming a long-standing theoretical concept named baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs), originally posited in 1970, this discovery provides valuable insight into the formation and evolution of the early universe. BAOs are essentially sound waves spawned by the interplay between gravitational forces and radiation during the universe’s nascent stages.
As the universe began to cool down, these bubbles froze into their current shape and expanded alongside the growth of the cosmos, reminiscent of remnants left behind by the colossal Big Bang. Appropriately named Ho’oleilana, meaning “sent murmurs of awakening,” this cosmic entity was discovered purely by chance during the ongoing quest for new catalogs of galaxies.
To fully understand the structure of the bubble, scientists collaborated with a renowned cosmologist who employed mathematical models to unveil its intricate composition. This astonishing finding could potentially unlock the identification of numerous other similar bubbles, drawing support from upcoming missions such as the Euclid space telescope and the Square Kilometre Array radio telescopes.
The significance of this research has earned it a publication in The Astrophysical Journal, solidifying the credibility of this astounding discovery. As astronomers continue to unravel the mysteries of our universe, the “bubble of galaxies” stands as testament to the remarkable wonders that await exploration in space.
