Astronomers Discover Massive “Bubble of Galaxies” from Early Universe
Astronomers have made an astonishing discovery in our galactic backyard: the first known “bubble of galaxies” that is believed to be a fossilized remnant from just after the Big Bang. This incredible cosmic structure, named Ho’oleilana, spans a billion light years, making it 10,000 times wider than our own Milky Way galaxy. Although invisible to the naked eye, Ho’oleilana is a mere 820 million light years away from our home galaxy, relatively close in what astronomers refer to as the nearby universe.
Daniel Pomarede, an astrophysicist at France’s Atomic Energy Commission, describes the bubble as “a spherical shell with a heart.” Inside this heart lies the Bootes supercluster of galaxies, surrounded by what is often referred to as “the Great Nothing” – a vast void. The shell also encompasses other known galaxy superclusters, such as the Sloan Great Wall. This monumental discovery, described in a research paper co-authored by Pomarede and published in The Astrophysical Journal, confirms a phenomenon initially proposed by US cosmologist Jim Peebles in 1970.
Origins of Ho’oleilana
According to Peebles’ theory, the primordial universe, which was a hot plasma, experienced a churning of gravity and radiation that generated sound waves called baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs). As these sound waves rippled through the plasma, they created bubbles. Roughly 380,000 years after the Big Bang, as the universe cooled down, this process came to a halt, resulting in the freezing of the bubbles’ shapes. Over time, these bubbles expanded along with the universe, much like other fossilized remnants from the early days following the Big Bang.
Scientists have previously detected signals of BAOs in 2005 when analyzing data from nearby galaxies. However, the recently discovered bubble, Ho’oleilana, is the first known example of a single baryon acoustic oscillation. Its immense size led astronomers to name it after a Hawaiian creation chant that translates to “sent murmurs of awakening.” Lead author Brent Tully, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii, stumbled upon the bubble during his search through new catalogues of galaxies. The unexpected finding was later confirmed with the help of Australian cosmologist Cullan Howlett, an expert in baryon acoustic oscillations.
Potential for Future Discoveries
Ho’oleilana may be the first bubble of its kind discovered, but astronomers anticipate spotting more of these cosmic structures in the future. Europe’s Euclid space telescope, launched in July, has the potential to capture a wide view of the universe, increasing the likelihood of detecting more bubbles. Additionally, the Square Kilometre Array, a massive radio telescope being constructed in South Africa and Australia, could offer a fresh perspective on galaxies from the viewpoint of the Southern Hemisphere.
The discovery of this monumental bubble of galaxies is a testament to the ongoing scientific process and the tireless efforts of researchers worldwide. With new technology and telescopes on the horizon, there is no doubt that the mysteries of our vast universe will continue to unfold, revealing more extraordinary secrets hidden within.