{"id":135170,"date":"2024-12-09T18:39:51","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T11:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=135170"},"modified":"2024-12-09T18:39:51","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T11:39:51","slug":"how-large-is-the-biggest-galaxy-in-the-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=135170","title":{"rendered":"How large is the biggest galaxy in the Universe?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div x-data=\"prose\" wp_automatic_readability=\"73.535751101115\">\n<div class=\"bt-block bt-block--margin-exclude bt-inp mb-8\">\n<div class=\"bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 text-black dark:text-white p-5 lg:p-6 xl:p-7 2xl:p-8\" wp_automatic_readability=\"32\">\n<div class=\"mb-3.5\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9\">\n<p>\n                    Sign up for the Starts With a Bang newsletter                <\/p>\n<p>\n                    Travel the universe with Dr. Ethan Siegel as he answers the biggest questions of all                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n                    <noscript class=\"ninja-forms-noscript-message\"><br \/>\n\tNotice: JavaScript is required for this content.<\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- That data is being printed as a workaround to page builders reordering the order of the scripts loaded--><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<p>Compared to our Solar System, galaxies simply outclass us.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5432\" height=\"3025\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?w=5432\" alt=\"logarithmic view solar system\" class=\"wp-image-160934\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg 5432w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=1536,855 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=2048,1141 2048w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=40,23 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=80,45 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=160,90 160w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=256,144 256w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=375,209 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=640,356 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=768,428 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=1024,570 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11103.jpg?resize=1280,713 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.379078694818\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.815738963532\">\n<p>A logarithmic chart of distances, showing the planets, the Voyager spacecraft, the Oort Cloud, and our nearest star: Proxima Centauri. The Sun may be 109 times the diameter of Earth, but the Earth-Sun distance is over 100 times larger than the Sun\u2019s diameter; the distance to Voyager 1 or 2 is ~100 times larger than the Earth-Sun distance; the Oort Cloud\u2019s density peaks ~100 times farther away than Voyager 2, and the distance to the nearest stars are ~100 times farther away than even that.<\/p><figcaption>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/infographics\/voyager-1-goes-interstellar\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The smallest known galaxy, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Segue_2\">Segue 2<\/a>, only contains ~1000 stars total.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"657\" height=\"652\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?w=657\" alt=\"dwarf galaxy segue 1 3\" class=\"wp-image-168094\" style=\"width:840px\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg 657w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?resize=20,20 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?resize=40,40 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?resize=80,80 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?resize=375,372 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-D8rGOgY8SAvamyRohTdWGw-1.jpg?resize=640,635 640w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.8453608247423\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.752577319588\">\n<p>Only approximately 1000 stars are present in the entirety of the smallest dwarf galaxies such as Segue 1, 2, and 3. Gravitationally, the masses of these galaxies can be estimated at around 550,000\u2013600,000 Suns. The stars making up the dwarf satellite Segue 1 are circled here. These galaxies have the largest dark matter-to-normal matter ratios known.<\/p><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"1.6571428571429\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/keckobservatory.org\/found_heart_of_darkness\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: Marla Geha\/Keck Observatory<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Even these dwarfs extend for hundreds of light-years: billions of times larger than even the largest stars.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2018\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?w=2560\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-193972\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png 2560w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=1536,1211 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=2048,1614 2048w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=854,672 854w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=375,296 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=640,505 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=768,605 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=1024,807 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png?resize=1280,1009 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"12.377650897227\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"20\">\n<p>This illustration shows some of the largest stars in the Universe, along with the orbits of Saturn (brown ellipse) and Neptune (blue ellipse) for comparison. The stars, from left to right, are the largest blue hypergiant, yellow hypergiant, orange hypergiant, and then the largest two stars of all: the red hypergiants UY Scuti and Stephenson 2-18. The largest stars are approximately 2,000 times the diameter of our Sun, but the temperatures at the surfaces of these stars range from only a few thousand K all the way up to Wolf-Rayet stars, with temperatures of ~200,000 K.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Star_Sizes_Comparison_update_2021.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit<\/a>: SkyFlubbler\/Wikimedia Commons<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Galaxies can obtain tremendous sizes, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.constellation-guide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IC-1101-compared-to-the-Milky-Way-Andromeda-Galaxy-and-Messier-87.webp\">illustrations<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.secretsofuniverse.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/20200928_192456_0000-1.png\">are often<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/i.redd.it\/rtqh2hlyvau31.jpg\">woefully<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/7500\/16142718552_d3ff5ccb6a_b.jpg\">inaccurate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/16.IC_.jpg\" alt=\"Comparison of galaxy sizes: Milky Way, Andromeda, M87, and IC 1101. IC 1101 is shown as the largest, spanning 6 million light-years.\" class=\"wp-image-538093\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/16.IC_.jpg 840w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/16.IC_.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/16.IC_.jpg?resize=375,200 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/16.IC_.jpg?resize=640,341 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/16.IC_.jpg?resize=768,409 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"7.3562300319489\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10\">\n<p>A common image showing relative sizes (incorrectly) for a number of galaxies. Andromeda is too large for the Milky Way; M87 is too small for Andromeda; IC 1101 is way too small compared to M87. When it comes to comprehending distance scales, it\u2019s vital to not share misleading images.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/factrepublic.com\/facts\/2021\/#google_vignette\">Credit<\/a>: Astro Bob\/Bob King<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Our relatively typical Milky Way exceeds 100,000 light-years in diameter.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2790\" height=\"2400\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?w=2790\" alt=\"milky way twin analogue\" class=\"wp-image-301298\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg 2790w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=1536,1321 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=2048,1762 2048w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=375,323 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=640,551 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=768,661 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=1024,881 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/UGC_12158.jpg?resize=1280,1101 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.858064516129\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"17\">\n<p>The spiral galaxy UGC 12158, with its arms, bar, and spurs, as well as its low, quiet rate of star formation and hint of a central bulge, may be the single most analogous galaxy for our Milky Way yet discovered. It is neither gravitationally interacting nor merging with any nearby neighbor galaxies, and so the star-formation occurring inside is driven primarily by the density waves occurring within the spiral arms in the galactic disk.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:UGC_12158.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit<\/a>: ESA\/Hubble &amp; NASA<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Andromeda\u2019s diameter roughly doubles our own: 220,000 light-years.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/andro.jpg?w=959\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167222\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/andro.jpg 959w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/andro.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/andro.jpg?resize=640,420 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/andro.jpg?resize=768,505 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/andro.jpg?resize=375,246 375w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.8744769874477\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.799163179916\">\n<p>The Andromeda galaxy (M31), as imaged from a ground-based telescope with multiple filters and reconstructed to show a colorized portrait. Compared to the Milky Way, Andromeda is significantly larger in extent, with a diameter that\u2019s approximately 220,000 light-years: comparable to double the Milky Way\u2019s size. If the Milky Way were shown superimposed atop Andromeda, its stellar disk would end roughly where Andromeda\u2019s dust lanes appear darkest.<\/p><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"1.52\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Andromeda_Galaxy_(with_h-alpha).jpg\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: Adam Evans\/flickr<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Interacting galaxies, however, become tidally disrupted, vastly increasing their extent.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1610\" height=\"1879\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?w=1610\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167221\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg 1610w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=1316,1536 1316w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=375,438 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=640,747 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=768,896 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=1024,1195 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=1280,1494 1280w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/UGC_10214HST.jpg?resize=1536,1793 1536w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.385454545455\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"20.276363636364\">\n<p>The Tadpole Galaxy, shown here, has an enormous tail to it: evidence of tidal interactions. The gas that\u2019s stripped out of one galaxy gets stretched into a long, thin strand, which contracts under its own gravity to form stars. The galactic element itself is comparable to the scale of the Milky Way, but the tidal stream alone is some ~280,000 light-years long: more than twice as large as our Milky Way\u2019s estimated size.<\/p><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"8.5645161290323\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:UGC_10214HST.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: NASA, H. Ford (JHU), G. Illingsworth (USCS\/LO), M. Clampin (STScI), G. Hartig (STScI), the ACS science team, and ESA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tadpole_Galaxy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tadpole galaxy<\/a>\u2019s tail alone is 280,000 light-years long.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ugc-2885.jpg?w=960\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167220\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ugc-2885.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ugc-2885.jpg?resize=375,281 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ugc-2885.jpg?resize=640,480 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ugc-2885.jpg?resize=768,576 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.853333333333\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"17\">\n<p>This galaxy, UGC 2885, also known as Rubin\u2019s galaxy, is the largest spiral galaxy ever discovered, and possesses about 10 times as many stars as the Milky Way. UGC 2885 is severely gravitationally disrupted. At an estimated 832,000 light-years across, it is arguably the largest known spiral galaxy, although its tidal arms and distorted shape are likely temporary on cosmic timescales.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/hubblesite.org\/contents\/media\/products\/01EG5ZDYKW9W78PXRSMGQ94F9V.html\">Credit<\/a>: NASA, ESA, and B. Holwerda (University of Louisville)<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Severely disrupted, <a href=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/starts-with-a-bang\/astronomers-find-a-galaxy-of-unusual-size-g-o-u-s-and-discover-why-it-exists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UGC 2885 is our largest spiral<\/a>: 832,000 light-years in extent.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?w=800\" alt=\"An image of a galaxy in the night sky.\" class=\"wp-image-488764\" style=\"width:840px\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=20,20 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=40,40 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=80,80 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=256,256 256w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=335,335 335w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=512,512 512w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=640,640 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=375,375 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg?resize=768,768 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.3371428571429\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"14\">\n<p>Giant elliptical galaxy NGC 584, shown here, was discovered and recorded in 1785, and is located approximately 62 million light-years away. Although it was not known to be an extragalactic object until the 1920s, it was briefly the most distant object known and recorded until NGC 1 was identified a few months later.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:NGC584_-_SDSS_DR14.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit<\/a>: Sloan Digital Sky Survey<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Elliptical galaxies, however, are the largest galaxies of all.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Markarian.jpg?w=1200\" alt=\"Wide view of a starry night sky with numerous galaxies and bright points of light scattered across a dark background.\" class=\"wp-image-538094\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Markarian.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Markarian.jpg?resize=375,257 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Markarian.jpg?resize=640,438 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Markarian.jpg?resize=768,525 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Markarian.jpg?resize=1024,701 1024w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.371428571429\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"16\">\n<p>Markarian\u2019s chain, shown here, represents an alignment of large, massive galaxies found within the Virgo cluster. There are approximately 1,000 large galaxies in the Virgo cluster, a large fraction of which were discovered way back in the 18th century. The Virgo cluster is located some 50\u201360 million light-years away from our Milky Way and is the largest concentration of galaxies in the extremely nearby Universe, containing many giant ellipticals.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Markarian.jpg\">Credit<\/a>: Nielander\/Wikimedia Commons<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Messier_87\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Messier 87<\/a>, the Virgo supercluster\u2019s largest galaxy, is 980,000 light-years across.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"971\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?w=959\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167218\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg 959w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?resize=20,20 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?resize=40,40 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?resize=80,80 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?resize=375,380 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?resize=640,648 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0-1.jpg?resize=768,778 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.8333333333333\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15\">\n<p>Located approximately 55 million light-years from Earth, the galaxy M87 contains an enormous relativistic jet, as well as outflows that show up in both the radio and X-ray. This optical image showcases a jet; we now know, from the Event Horizon Telescope, that the rotation axis of the black hole points away from Earth, tilted at about 17 degrees.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/solarsystem.nasa.gov\/resources\/2319\/first-image-of-a-black-hole\/\">Credit<\/a>: ESO<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The Coma Cluster\u2019s biggest,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NGC_4889\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NGC 4889<\/a>, spans 1,300,000 light-years in diameter.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2359\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?w=2359\" alt=\"coma cluster zwicky dark matter\" class=\"wp-image-236571\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg 2359w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=1536,1334 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=2048,1778 2048w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=375,326 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=640,556 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=768,667 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=1024,889 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ssc2007-10a1.jpg?resize=1280,1111 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.8651685393258\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.784269662921\">\n<p>The two bright, large galaxies at the center of the Coma Cluster, NGC 4889 (left) and the slightly smaller NGC 4874 (right), each exceed a million light years in size. But the galaxies on the outskirts, zipping around so rapidly, point to the existence of a large halo of dark matter throughout the entire cluster. The mass of the normal matter alone is insufficient to explain this bound structure.<\/p><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"1.7391304347826\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ssc2007-10a1.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: NASA \/ JPL-Caltech \/ L. Jenkins (GSFC)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Phoenix Cluster\u2019s brightest central galaxy measures 2.2 million light-years across.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?w=800\" alt=\"Two-panel image: Left shows a heatmap with contour lines, color-coded by signal-to-noise ratio. Right depicts a star field with contour lines labeled in overlay on celestial coordinates.\" class=\"wp-image-538097\" style=\"width:840px\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?resize=40,23 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?resize=80,45 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?resize=375,216 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?resize=640,369 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_MXyShYtw1gzLdnAU.jpg?resize=768,443 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"8.3473053892216\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"12\">\n<p>The brightest cluster galaxy of the Phoenix cluster, shown at left from the South Pole Telescope and at right from Blanco\/MOSAIC-II optical\/infrared imagery, is one of the largest galaxies of all, still rapidly forming stars at hundreds of times the rate of our own Milky Way.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/0004-637X\/738\/2\/139\">Credit<\/a>: R. Williamson et al., Astrophysical Journal, 2011<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>But the biggest galaxy of all? That\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/IC_1101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IC 1101<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Abell2029-1200x900-1.gif?w=1200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-162864\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Abell2029-1200x900-1.gif 1200w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Abell2029-1200x900-1.gif?resize=375,281 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Abell2029-1200x900-1.gif?resize=640,480 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Abell2029-1200x900-1.gif?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Abell2029-1200x900-1.gif?resize=1024,768 1024w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.8654708520179\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.784753363229\">\n<p>The giant galaxy cluster, Abell 2029, houses galaxy IC 1101 at its core. At 5.5 million light years across, over 100 trillion stars and the mass of nearly a quadrillion suns, it\u2019s the largest known galaxy of all. As massive and impressive as this galaxy cluster is, it\u2019s unfortunately difficult for the Universe to make something significantly larger owing to its finite age and the presence of dark energy.<\/p><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"1.6571428571429\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:IC_1101.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: NASA\/Digitized Sky Survey 2<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Half its light is contained within a central, 2 million light-year radius.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_9DhmOwD2gglzwxdy.jpg\" alt=\"Grainy astronomical image showing a central elongated galaxy surrounded by colorful noise patterns. Scale indicator reads 7 arcmin.\" class=\"wp-image-538098\" style=\"width:840px\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_9DhmOwD2gglzwxdy.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_9DhmOwD2gglzwxdy.jpg?resize=375,313 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_9DhmOwD2gglzwxdy.jpg?resize=640,534 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/0_9DhmOwD2gglzwxdy.jpg?resize=768,640 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.365096359743\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"16\">\n<p>This image shows a gravitational lensing map overlaid atop cluster Abell 2029. At the center of Abell 2029, the largest known galaxy in the Universe, IC 1101, can be seen. Although its half-light radius, or the radius within which half of the arriving light comes from, is ~2 million light-years, the full visible diameter of the galaxy ranges from 5.5 to 6 million light-years.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.3847\/1538-4357\/ab7c58\">Credit<\/a>: J. McCleary, I. dell\u2019Antonio, &amp; A. von der Linden, Astrophysical Journal, 2020<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>It spans a full 5.5 million light-years across: greater than the Local Group\u2019s extent.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?w=800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167937\" style=\"width:840px\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=20,20 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=40,40 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=80,80 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=256,256 256w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=335,335 335w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=512,512 512w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=640,640 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=375,375 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Local-Group.jpg?resize=768,768 768w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"8.872641509434\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"13.801886792453\">\n<p>Our Local Group of galaxies is dominated by Andromeda and the Milky Way, there is debate over which one dominates in terms of gravitation. While Andromeda appears to be larger in physical extent and have more stars, it may yet be less massive than we are. If the galaxy IC 1101 were shown next to our Local Group, it would be comparable to the size of this image in its full extent.<\/p><figcaption wp_automatic_readability=\"1.7142857142857\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:5_Local_Galactic_Group_(ELitU).png\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Credit<\/a>: Andrew Z. Colvin\/Wikimedia Commons<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Showing the true relative sizes of galaxies highlights our cosmos\u2019s diversity.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"539\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?w=959\" alt=\"largest galaxy\" class=\"wp-image-167213\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg 959w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=40,23 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=80,45 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=160,90 160w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=256,144 256w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=480,270 480w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=640,360 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=832,468 832w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=420,236 420w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=495,278 495w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=680,382 680w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=854,480 854w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/960x0.jpg?resize=375,211 375w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.5\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"16\">\n<p>Composite of galaxies from the smallest to the largest, shown (approximately) actual size. The giant elliptical galaxy at the heart of cluster Abell 2029, IC 1101, is the largest known galaxy in the Universe, at least in terms of stellar extent. It is much, much larger than the Milky Way or Andromeda (or any spiral galaxy), but also towers over even other typical giant ellipticals.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption>Credit: E. Siegel<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Only <a href=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/starts-with-a-bang\/longest-strongest-black-hole-jets-of-all-time-discovered\/\">large-scale galactic jets<\/a>,<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2119\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?w=2119\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-520291\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg 2119w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=1536,773 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=2048,1031 2048w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=375,189 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=640,322 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=768,387 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=1024,516 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lofar-vs-gmrt.jpg?resize=1280,645 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"8.8098591549296\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"13\">\n<p>The radio data from LOFAR and GMRT clearly shows the features of a coherent, bipolar, linear black hole pair of jets that extend for 23-24 million light-years in extent. This feature, named Porphyrion, is the largest black hole jet ever seen.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-024-07879-y\">Credit<\/a>: M.S.S.L. Oei et al., Nature, 2024<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/starts-with-a-bang\/jwst-most-massive-galaxy-cluster\/\">enormous galaxy clusters<\/a>,<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6184\" height=\"3748\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?w=6184\" alt=\"Original lensing map hubble el gordo\" class=\"wp-image-451533\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg 6184w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=1536,931 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=2048,1241 2048w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=40,23 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=375,227 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=640,388 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=768,465 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=1024,621 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Galaxy_Cluster_El_Gordo_with_Mass_Map.jpg?resize=1280,776 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.8752598752599\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15\">\n<p>This map shows the El Gordo galaxy cluster, as imaged by Hubble, with a mass map overlaid atop it. The mass was inferred from a combination of weak and strong gravitational lensing effects, while other, complementary studies have shown that this cluster is a merger between two smaller clusters. All told, there are between 2.1 and 3.0 quadrillion (10^15) solar masses worth of matter in the El Gordo cluster.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Galaxy_Cluster_%27El_Gordo%27_with_Mass_Map.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit<\/a>: NASA, ESA, Hubble, and J. Jee (University of California, Davis)<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>and <a href=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/starts-with-a-bang\/giant-ring-arc-structures-not-real\/\">large-scale cosmic features<\/a> surpass them.<\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ????><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1913\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?w=1913\" alt=\"Sloan Great Wall\" class=\"wp-image-193968\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 96vw, (max-width: 1280px) 60vw, (max-width: 1536px) 46vw, 710px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg 1913w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=1536,867 1536w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=20,12 20w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=40,23 40w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=80,45 80w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=160,90 160w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=256,144 256w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=480,270 480w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=640,361 640w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=420,236 420w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=495,278 495w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=375,212 375w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=768,434 768w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=1024,578 1024w, https:\/\/bigthink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/enorme.jpg?resize=1280,723 1280w\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-caption\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.363043478261\">\n<div class=\"img-caption__desc\" wp_automatic_readability=\"16\">\n<p>The Sloan Great Wall is one of the largest apparent, though likely transient, structures in the Universe, at some 1.37 billion light-years across. It may just be a chance alignment of multiple superclusters, but it\u2019s definitely not a single, gravitationally bound structure, as dark energy is in the process of driving it apart. The galaxies of the Sloan Great Wall are depicted at right.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:2dfdtfe.gif\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit<\/a>: Willem Schaap (L); Pablo Carlos Budassi (R)\/Wikimedia Commons<br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"bt-block bt-block--margin-exclude bt-inp mb-8\">\n<div class=\"bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 text-black dark:text-white p-5 lg:p-6 xl:p-7 2xl:p-8\" wp_automatic_readability=\"32\">\n<div class=\"mb-3.5\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9\">\n<p>\n                    Sign up for the Starts With a Bang newsletter                <\/p>\n<p>\n                    Travel the universe with Dr. Ethan Siegel as he answers the biggest questions of all                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n                    <noscript class=\"ninja-forms-noscript-message\"><br \/>\n\tNotice: JavaScript is required for this content.<\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- That data is being printed as a workaround to page builders reordering the order of the scripts loaded--><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/starts-with-a-bang\/how-large-biggest-galaxy-universe\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sign up for the Starts With a Bang newsletter Travel the universe with Dr. Ethan Siegel as he answers the biggest questions of all Notice: JavaScript is required for this &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=135170\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8628],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-science","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=135170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135170\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=135170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=135170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=135170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}