Astronomers Uncover Massive 13-Million Light-Year-Long Cosmic Vine Galaxy Structure
Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery of a massive galaxy structure known as “Cosmic Vine,” spanning an astounding 13 million light-years and containing at least 20 massive galaxies. This structure was observed at a redshift of 3.44, indicating that it appeared when the universe was only 2.5 billion years old.
Cosmic Vine’s immense size sets it apart from other known galaxy groups and proto-clusters at similar redshifts. It is also home to two of the largest galaxies ever discovered at such a high redshift—Galaxy A and Galaxy E. Both galaxies are in a quiescent state, indicating a reduced rate of star formation.
This discovery holds particular significance for understanding the formation and evolution of massive galaxies. Researchers believe that Cosmic Vine may be a precursor to a galaxy cluster, providing valuable insights into the formation of such clusters and the emergence of massive galaxies within them.
The identification of Cosmic Vine also challenges previous models, suggesting that massive galaxies can form within expanding large-scale structures, contrary to prior assumptions. Researchers propose that Galaxy A and Galaxy E were likely subdued by significant energy releases from a supermassive black hole before becoming part of the Vine’s core. This suggests that the process of halting star formation in galaxies can occur in various environments, not just within the cores of galaxy clusters.
To deepen our understanding of the formation of these giants, further examination of quiescent cluster galaxies at high redshifts is necessary. The recently launched Euclid Space Telescope, designed to investigate the structure and history of large-scale structures in the universe, offers promise in advancing this research.
The research findings have been published in a preprint journal and can be accessed here.
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