Cosmic web is a network of filaments of dark matter, believed by many astronomers to form the basis of the Universe. It describes three dimensional distribution of matter in space. In simple words, cosmic web describes the distribution of galaxies in space.
We know that Stars are organized into galaxies, which in turn form groups of galaxies. The Milky Way galaxy is part of a group of galaxies called the Local Group. Group of galaxies contain up to 50 galaxies.
The next level of aggregation is called Galaxy Cluster which consists of anywhere from hundreds to thousands of galaxies that are bound together by gravity with typical masses ranging from 10^14 to 10^15 solar masses. These clusters is made up of only 1% of galaxies, rest is dark matter (90%) and intergalactic gas (9%).
In the next level, we have Super clusters which are large group of smaller galaxy clusters or galaxy groups. they are the largest-known structures of the cosmos. The Milky Way is part of the Local Group galaxy cluster , which in turn is part of the Laniakea Super cluster.. This super cluster spans over 500 million light-years, while the Local Group spans over 10 million light-years. The number of super clusters in the observable universe is estimated to be 10 million.
Cosmic web is a network of galaxies arranged like a web through the threads of dark matter called filaments. The networks that connect these galaxies is made up of dark matter that keeps the galaxies bound together under the force of gravity.
The primary evidence for dark matter is that calculations show that many galaxies would fly apart instead of rotating,, if they did not contain a large amount of matter which cannot be detected unlike ordinary matter. The conclusion is that the universe contains far more matter in a form we cannot currently detect. The cloud of dark matter which is believed to dominate galactic mass called dark matter halo.
The cosmic web helps to define how the various cosmic structures are arranged under the force of gravity. This hierarchy helps to know how large structures in the Universe behave.
So, the next time when an alien from distant galaxy asks for your address you can happily give an address:
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