. 24/7 Space News .
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Uncovering the secret law of the evolution of galaxy clusters
by Staff Writers
Osaka, Japan (SPX) Apr 25, 2018

illustration only

As science enthusiasts around the world bid farewell to legendary cosmologist Stephen Hawking, researchers continue to make important discoveries about the evolution of galaxy clusters that capture the imagination.

Now, an international collaboration between Yutaka Fujita at Osaka University and researchers from Taiwan, Italy, Japan, and the United States found a new fundamental law that stipulates the evolution of galaxy clusters. They recently reported the study in The Astrophysical Journal.

Galaxy clusters are the largest celestial body in the Universe (Fig.1). However, it has been difficult to measure their size and mass accurately because they mainly consist of dark matter that we cannot observe directly. One way to observe the dark matter indirectly is to use the gravitational lensing effect based on Einstein's theory of relativity.

Light rays from a galaxy behind a cluster are pulled by the gravity of the cluster as they pass through it, and their paths are bent (Fig.2). This is exactly the same effect as a lens, focusing the light of the distant galaxy and distorting its shape. If we can measure the distortion of the shape for many background galaxies, we can reveal the gravitational field of the cluster, and as a result, we can accurately measure its size and mass.

"One difficulty in our research," explains Keiichi Umetsu at Academia Sinica in Taiwan, "was that accurate measurements of the distortion were necessary." To overcome this problem, the research team has used precise observational data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Subaru Telescope operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

Combining with gas temperature data from the Chandra X-ray satellite, the research group statistically examined those latest data and found that they conform to a simple law represented only by the size, mass, and gas temperature of clusters. Moreover, by making full use of computer simulations, they showed that clusters have grown over 4 to 8 billion years according to the law. Theoretically, the law means that those gigantic clusters are still in adolescence, growing by drawing a large amount of surrounding substances with their strong gravity (Fig.3).

"We've discovered the law that regulates the growth of clusters of galaxies," Fujita says. "Clusters have an internal structure uniquely created in an early growth spurt."

The law is so simple that we can use it to calibrate cluster mass-observable relations, which are a key ingredient for studying the cosmological laws of the Universe.

"Our research draws us closer to explaining the evolutionary history of clusters and the Universe," Fujita adds.

Research paper


Related Links
Osaka University
Stellar Chemistry, The Universe And All Within It


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Galaxies grow bigger and puffier as they age
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 24, 2018
A new international study involving The Australian National University (ANU) and The University of Sydney has found that galaxies grow bigger and puffier as they age. Co-researcher Professor Matthew Colless from ANU said that stars in a young galaxy moved in an orderly way around the galaxy's disk, much like cars around a racetrack. "All galaxies look like squashed spheres, but as they grow older they become puffier with stars going around in all directions," said Professor Colless, who is t ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
NASA Takes First 3-D Microscopic Image on the Space Station

2020 Decadal Survey Missions: At a Glance

Simulated Countdown Another Step Toward Exploration Mission-1

NASA upgrades Space Station emergency communications ground stations

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Vostochny Cosmodrome preps for first tourist visit

Meet the nuclear-powered spaceships of the future

Arianespace to launch BSAT-4b; marking the 10th satellite launch for B-SAT

US Air Force awards nearly $1 bn for hypersonic missile

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Opportuity Mars rover looking for a path of less resistance

SwRI's Martian moons model indicates formation following large impact

Clear as mud: Desiccation cracks help reveal the shape of water on Mars

US, Russia likely to go to Mars Together, former NASA astronaut says

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
First China Aerospace Conference to be held on April 24

Across China: Rocket launch brings back fortune to locals

China unveils underwater astronaut training suit

China Space Agency chief says he expects visit by Russia's Roscosmos

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Aerospace highlights lessons from Public-Private Partnerships in space

ESA teams ready for space

Airbus has shipped SES-12 highly innovative satellite to launch base

Storm hunter launched to International Space Station

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
India recalls GSAT-11 satellite from launch site for more tests

Artificial intelligence accelerates discovery of metallic glass

NanoRacks space station airlock "Bishop" completes CDR, moves to fab stage

Angola loses first satellite, plans successor

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Giant group of octopus moms discovered in the deep sea

Molecular evolution: How the building blocks of life may form in space

Are we alone? NASA's new planet hunter aims to find out

We think we're the first advanced earthlings - but how do we really know?

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
What do Uranus's cloud tops have in common with rotten eggs?

Pluto's Largest Moon, Charon, Gets Its First Official Feature Names

Pluto's largest moon, Charon, gets its first official feature names

Juno Provides Infrared Tour of Jupiter's North Pole









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.