Explore the three most common types of cosmic web structures – filaments, walls, and voids – and their implications for understanding the universe.
The cosmic web is a vast network of galaxies, gas, and dark matter that spans the entire observable universe. It is the largest known structure in the universe and is made up of a complex network of filaments, walls, and voids. In this article, we will discuss the three most common types of cosmic web structures.
Filaments
Filaments are the most common type of cosmic web structure. They are long, narrow strands of gas and dark matter that stretch across the universe, connecting galaxy clusters and forming the backbone of the cosmic web. Filaments can be up to 100 megaparsecs in length and contain vast amounts of matter, including galaxies, gas, and dark matter. The densest regions of filaments are called superclusters, which are the largest structures in the universe.
The formation of filaments is driven by the gravitational attraction of dark matter. Dark matter is the dominant form of matter in the universe and provides the scaffolding on which galaxies and other structures form. Over time, the gravitational pull of dark matter causes gas and other matter to flow towards the densest regions, creating the filamentary structure we observe today.
Walls
Walls, also known as sheets or membranes, are another type of cosmic web structure. They are vast, flat regions of gas and dark matter that extend for hundreds of millions of light-years. Walls are formed at the intersections of filaments and can be up to 500 megaparsecs in size. Like filaments, walls contain vast amounts of matter, including galaxies, gas, and dark matter.
The formation of walls is also driven by the gravitational attraction of dark matter. As
