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Science

IDemo

(16,926 posts) Mon Apr 20, 2015, 09:40 PM Apr 2015

8

Astronomers discover largest known structure in the universe is ... a big hole

Astronomers have discovered what they say is the largest known structure in the universe: an incredibly big hole.

The “supervoid”, as it is known, is a spherical blob 1.8 billion light years across that is distinguished by its unusual emptiness.

István Szapudi, who led the work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, described the object as possibly “the largest individual structure ever identified by humanity”.

Its existence only emerged thanks to a targeted astronomical survey, which confirmed that around 10,000 galaxies were “missing” from the part of the sky it sits in.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/20/astronomers-discover-largest-known-structure-in-the-universe-is-a-big-hole

11 replies

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Astronomers discover largest known structure in the universe is ... a big hole (Original Post) IDemo Apr 2015 OP

This might be a great place to send our radioactive materials TexasTowelie Apr 2015 #1

So cool ;) AuntPatsy Apr 2015 #2

The article says the void has about 20% less matter than a normal area of space. Strange, for sure. Fred Sanders Apr 2015 #3

“Supervoids are not entirely empty, they’re under-dense,” said András Kovács, a co-author IDemo Apr 2015 #4

Under dense is the one guy in the GOP primary field who doesnt think Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #6

Excuse me, but I know a big hole when i see one. Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #7

OKAY, WHO FARTED? Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #5

is a spherical blob 1.8 billion light years across that is distinguished by its unusual emptiness. " Javaman Apr 2015 #8

And I thought Earth was located in the lamest part of the Universe LastLiberal in PalmSprings Apr 2015 #9

This deservs it's own OP. stone space May 2015 #11

Whoever Took Those Galaxies, Put Them Back Right Now? ProfessorGAC May 2015 #10

TexasTowelie

(112,189 posts)

1. This might be a great place to send our radioactive materials

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 09:46 PM

Apr 2015

or some Republican legislators.

AuntPatsy

(9,904 posts)

2. So cool ;)

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 09:46 PM

Apr 2015

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)

3. The article says the void has about 20% less matter than a normal area of space. Strange, for sure.

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 10:04 PM

Apr 2015

But not a "big hole", The Guardian.

IDemo

(16,926 posts)

4. “Supervoids are not entirely empty, they’re under-dense,” said András Kovács, a co-author

Reply to Fred Sanders (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 10:40 PM

Apr 2015

"Under dense" seems a tad figurative as well.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)

6. Under dense is the one guy in the GOP primary field who doesnt think

Reply to IDemo (Reply #4)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 11:01 PM

Apr 2015

The Earth is only 6000 years old.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)

7. Excuse me, but I know a big hole when i see one.

Reply to Fred Sanders (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 11:03 PM

Apr 2015

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)

5. OKAY, WHO FARTED?

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2015, 11:01 PM

Apr 2015

Way to clear out the room.

Javaman

(62,530 posts)

8. is a spherical blob 1.8 billion light years across that is distinguished by its unusual emptiness. "

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Tue Apr 21, 2015, 08:55 AM

Apr 2015

also known as the republican party.

LastLiberal in PalmSprings

(12,586 posts)

9. And I thought Earth was located in the lamest part of the Universe

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Wed Apr 29, 2015, 09:55 PM

Apr 2015

stone space

(6,498 posts)

11. This deservs it's own OP.

Reply to LastLiberal in PalmSprings (Reply #9)

Sun May 3, 2015, 10:34 AM

May 2015

ProfessorGAC

(65,042 posts)

10. Whoever Took Those Galaxies, Put Them Back Right Now?

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Fri May 1, 2015, 09:14 AM

May 2015

Seriously, this is a pretty cool find. Kind of emphasizes the weirdness of how "lumpy" the universe is. Not very "universal".

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