Gigantic structure of galaxies

This image, obtained with the Subaru Telescope, operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan was used by a team of astronomers, led by Masayuki Tanaka from the European Southern Observatory (ESO), to uncover a gigantic, previously unknown assembly of galaxies located almost seven billion light-years away from us. This structure was confirmed by further observations made using ESO’s Very Large Telescope and Subaru. It is the first observation of such a prominent galaxy structure in the distant Universe, providing further insight into the cosmic web and how it formed.

The galaxies located in the newly discovered structure are shown in red. Galaxies that are either in front or behind the structure are shown in blue.

Credit:

ESO/Subaru/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/M. Tanaka

About the Image

Id:eso0941b
Type:Observation
Release date:3 November 2009
Related releases:eso0941
Size:7692 x 9162 px

About the Object

Name:Galaxy cluster, Subaru Telescope
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Cluster
Distance:z=0.55 (redshift)
Category:Galaxy Clusters

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