Concept
The Cosmic Web is the large-scale structure of the universe, consisting of interconnected filaments of galaxies and dark matter that form a vast network. It is the result of gravitational forces shaping matter over billions of years, revealing the distribution of matter and the underlying structure of the cosmos.
Relevant Degrees
The large-scale structure of the universe refers to the organization and distribution of matter on cosmic scales, characterized by a vast network of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and dark matter forming a cosmic web. This structure is shaped by gravitational interactions and the initial conditions set by the Big Bang, and is studied through observations of galaxy distributions and cosmic microwave background radiation.
Concept
Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects on visible matter. It is believed to constitute approximately 27% of the universe, influencing the structure and evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters.
Concept
Gravitational forces are the attractive forces between masses, which govern the motion of celestial bodies and the structure of the universe. They are described by Newton's law of universal gravitation and further refined by Einstein's general theory of relativity, which accounts for the curvature of spacetime around massive objects.
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Concept
Cosmology is the scientific study of the large-scale properties and dynamics of the universe, encompassing its origin, evolution, and eventual fate. It integrates observational astronomy and theoretical physics to explore fundamental questions about the universe's structure, composition, and the laws governing its expansion and development.
Concept
Structure formation refers to the process by which small initial density fluctuations in the early universe grow over time to form galaxies, clusters, and larger cosmic structures. It is driven by gravitational instability, with dark matter playing a crucial role in the hierarchical clustering of matter.
Concept
Concept
The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is the thermal radiation left over from the Big Bang, providing a snapshot of the infant universe approximately 380,000 years after its birth. It serves as a critical piece of evidence for the Big Bang theory and offers insights into the early universe's conditions, composition, and large-scale structure.
Concept
Redshift surveys are astronomical surveys designed to measure the redshift of a large number of galaxies, providing insights into the large-scale structure of the universe and the rate of its expansion. These surveys help in mapping the three-dimensional distribution of galaxies, contributing to our understanding of dark energy and the cosmic web.
Concept
N-body simulations are computational physics models used to predict the motion and interaction of a system of particles under the influence of physical forces, such as gravity. These simulations are crucial in astrophysics for understanding the dynamics of star clusters, galaxies, and the large-scale structure of the universe.
Concept
Large-Scale Structure refers to the organization of matter on the grandest scales in the universe, encompassing galaxy clusters, superclusters, filaments, and voids. It reveals the cosmic web pattern formed by dark matter and baryonic matter, providing insights into the universe's formation and evolution governed by gravitational forces and dark energy.
Concept
The Lyman-alpha Forest is a series of absorption lines in the spectra of distant quasars, caused by intervening clouds of hydrogen gas in the intergalactic medium. These absorption features provide valuable insights into the distribution and density of matter in the early universe, allowing astronomers to study the large-scale structure and evolution of cosmic matter.
Concept
The intergalactic medium (IGM) is the matter that exists in the space between galaxies, primarily composed of ionized hydrogen and helium, and plays a crucial role in the evolution of the universe by influencing galaxy formation and the propagation of light. It serves as a reservoir for baryonic matter and is a key component in understanding cosmic structure formation and the large-scale distribution of matter in the universe.
Concept
The Large Scale Structure of the universe refers to the organization and distribution of matter on the largest scales, encompassing galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the vast cosmic web of filaments and voids. It is crucial for understanding the universe's evolution, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the initial conditions set by the Big Bang.
Concept
Extragalactic astronomy is the branch of astronomy concerned with objects outside our own galaxy, the Milky Way, including galaxies, quasars, and cosmic phenomena at large scales. It provides insights into the formation, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe, helping to understand fundamental astrophysical processes and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Concept
Galaxy evolution is the process by which galaxies form and develop over billions of years, influenced by various astrophysical phenomena such as mergers, star formation, and feedback from active galactic nuclei. Understanding Galaxy evolution helps us trace the history of the universe and the formation of cosmic structures from the Big Bang to the present day.
Concept
A filament is a slender, thread-like structure that can be found in various scientific contexts, such as in biology, physics, and astronomy. In biology, filaments are structural proteins like actin and myosin, while in astronomy, they refer to massive, thread-like structures of galaxies and dark matter in the universe.
Concept
Galaxy surveys are systematic observations of large regions of the sky to catalog galaxies and study their properties, distribution, and evolution. They provide critical data for understanding the large-scale structure of the universe, dark matter, and dark energy.
Large-scale structure formation describes the process by which small initial fluctuations in the early universe's matter density grew over time to form galaxies, galaxy clusters, and superclusters. This evolution is driven by gravitational instability, dark matter dynamics, and the expansion of the universe, resulting in a cosmic web of structures observed today.
Concept
Cosmic structure formation describes the process by which small initial fluctuations in the density of matter in the early universe evolved into the vast cosmic web of galaxies, clusters, and large-scale structures we observe today. This evolution is driven primarily by gravitational instability, dark matter dynamics, and the expansion of the universe, with cosmic microwave background radiation and baryonic physics playing crucial roles in shaping the final structures.
Concept
Superclusters are massive structures in the universe composed of groups of galaxy clusters, forming some of the largest known cosmic formations. They play a crucial role in the large-scale structure of the cosmos and help astronomers understand the distribution of matter and the dynamics of cosmic evolution.
Concept
Filaments are elongated structures found in various scientific fields, from biology to physics, characterized by their thread-like appearance and function. They play crucial roles in systems such as cytoskeletal support in cells, cosmic web formation in the universe, and conductive pathways in materials science.
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