Dark matter filaments

Definition

Dark matter filaments are vast, thread-like structures in the cosmic web that contain a significant amount of dark matter, connecting clusters and superclusters of galaxies. These filaments are part of the larger cosmic architecture, serving as highways for galaxies and influencing their formation and distribution throughout the universe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dark matter filaments can span millions of light-years and are crucial for understanding how matter is distributed on cosmic scales.
2. These filaments act as gravitational guides for galaxies as they move through the universe, significantly affecting their growth and evolution.
3. The presence of dark matter in these filaments influences the gravitational pull experienced by nearby galaxies and galaxy clusters.
4. Observations indicate that about 80% of the universe's mass is composed of dark matter, with a significant portion residing within these filaments.
5. The interactions between dark matter filaments and baryonic matter (normal matter) can lead to the formation of stars and galaxies along these structures.

Review Questions

• How do dark matter filaments contribute to the large-scale structure of the universe?
  • Dark matter filaments play a vital role in forming the large-scale structure known as the cosmic web. They connect galaxy clusters and superclusters, creating pathways along which galaxies can move and interact. This interconnectedness helps to shape the distribution of visible matter in the universe while also influencing how galaxies evolve over time due to their gravitational effects.
• Discuss the relationship between dark matter filaments and galaxy clusters in terms of gravitational influence.
  • Dark matter filaments provide a framework for galaxy clusters to form, acting as gravitational highways. The mass concentration within these filaments attracts both dark matter and baryonic matter, leading to galaxy formation at their intersections. This gravitational influence ensures that galaxy clusters are often found at these nodes, reflecting how filaments organize matter on large scales.
• Evaluate the significance of dark matter filaments in understanding cosmic evolution and structure formation.
  • Dark matter filaments are essential for understanding cosmic evolution because they serve as the scaffolding upon which galaxies are built. Their presence affects how galaxies merge, grow, and distribute themselves across the universe. By studying these structures, astronomers gain insights into the role of dark matter in shaping not only individual galaxies but also the overall architecture of the cosmos, highlighting its impact on formation processes over billions of years.

Related terms

cosmic web: The large-scale structure of the universe, characterized by a web-like formation of galaxies, dark matter, and gas, consisting of filaments, sheets, and voids.

galaxy clusters: Large groups of galaxies that are held together by gravity and often found at the intersections of dark matter filaments within the cosmic web.

voids: Huge, relatively empty regions in the universe that exist between filaments and galaxy clusters, playing a role in the overall structure of the cosmic web.