Astronomers have captured the cosmic web, a network of galaxy-connecting threads, for the first time using advanced telescopes. The observation was made possible by the MUSE spectrographic instrument, which allows astronomers to separate weak hydrogen emission from background noise.
Researchers observed a sky stain that burned two old quasars over 11 billion light years apart, revealing a “glow backlight” that spread between them. This discovery confirmed the existence of the cosmic web and provided new insights into its structure and behavior.
The study sheds light on the formation of galaxies and stars, suggesting that gas flowing along filaments changes their appearance. It also reveals that galaxies are fed by these filaments, which supply their discs with new hydrogen, powering chemical enrichment, spiral arms, and radiation bursts.
The discovery supports cold dark matter theories, which propose that over 85% of the universe’s mass is undetectable to standard telescopes. The researchers’ findings provide a reality check for ideas modifying dark matter behavior and demonstrate the importance of observing high-resolution filaments.
Future research will benefit from next-generation instruments, such as telescope-planned high-resolution spectrometers. Further investigations aim to reveal more structures in the cosmic web and create a comprehensive map of the universe’s scaffolding.
Source: https://vocal.media/futurism/the-cosmic-web-the-universe-s-secret-roads-is-seen-for-the-first-time-by-astronomers