Mysterious intergalactic bridge spanning 10 MILLION light-years spotted between galaxy clusters in first of its kind discovery
- Magnetic fields spotted between galaxy clusters Abell 0399 and Abell 0401
- Researchers say this is the first time such a feature has ever been observed
- Follow-up observations will help to confirm its existence and explain its nature
Astronomers have spotted an intergalactic ‘bridge’ stretching between two galaxy clusters 10 million light-years apart.
A ‘trail’ of magnetic fields and relativistic electrons were spotted along filaments connecting two clusters, called Abell 0399 and Abell 0401.
The discovery is said to be the first of its kind, revealing a glimpse at how magnetic fields and high-energy particles extend along the ‘cosmic webs’ connecting distant objects in the universe.
Astronomers have spotted an intergalactic ‘bridge’ stretching between two galaxy clusters 10 million light-years apart. A ‘trail’ of magnetic fields and relativistic electrons were spotted along filaments connecting two clusters, called Abell 0399 and Abell 0401
Researchers led by a team from the National Institute of Astrophysics (Inaf) of Cagliari identified the bridge using the LOFAR radio telescope.
The so-called cosmic web describes the filamentary structures through which mater is distributed across the universe.
At their intersections sit huge concentrations of galaxies, known as clusters.
And, it’s between these that scientists have now spotted magnetic fields for the first time.
Using the LoFar radio telescope, the team spotted what looked much like ‘aurora on cosmic scales.’
‘We typically observe this emission mechanism in action in individual galaxies and even in galaxy clusters, but never before has a radio emission been observed connecting two of these systems,’ said Matteo Murgia, from the National Institute of Astrophysics.
Researchers led by a team from the National Institute of Astrophysics (Inaf) of Cagliari identified the bridge using the LOFAR radio telescope
‘Understanding the nature of this radio source is a real challenge, since the electrons, during their radiative life time, manage to cover a much smaller space than the entire source.
‘There must therefore exist some mechanism responsible for their acceleration that operates along the entire filament.’
According to the researchers, this suggests the existence of the magnetic field which may be amplified by other processes.
But, there’s still much to be understood about the mysterious radio signals.
The team is planning additional observations to the region to collect more data in hopes to ultimately confirm the discovery.
WHAT IS DARK MATTER?
Dark matter is a hypothetical substance said to make up roughly 27 per cent of the universe.
The enigmatic material is invisible because it does not reflect light, and has never been directly observed by scientists.
Astronomers know it to be out there because of its gravitational effects on known matter.
The European Space Agency says: ‘Shine a torch in a completely dark room, and you will see only what the torch illuminates.
Dark matter is a hypothetical substance said to make up roughly 27 per cent of the universe. It is thought to be the gravitational ‘glue’ that holds the galaxies together (artist’s impression)
‘That does not mean that the room around you does not exist.
‘Similarly we know dark matter exists but have never observed it directly.’
The material is thought to be the gravitational ‘glue’ that holds the galaxies together.
Calculations show that many galaxies would be torn apart instead of rotating if they weren’t held together by a large amount of dark matter.
Just five per cent the observable universe consists of known matter such as atoms and subatomic particles.