Laniakeasuperjoukko

Laniakeasuperjoukko, also known as the Laniakea Supercluster, is a vast structure of galaxies containing the Milky Way. It is one of the largest known structures in the universe, spanning over 520 million light-years. This supercluster was identified in 2014 by a team of astronomers led by R. Brent Tully. Before its discovery, our Milky Way galaxy was thought to be part of the Virgo Supercluster, but Laniakea is significantly larger and encompasses the Virgo Supercluster.

The Laniakea Supercluster is defined by the gravitational flow of galaxies. Galaxies within Laniakea are all moving towards a central point known as the Great Attractor. This region is not a single object but rather a massive concentration of matter, including galaxy clusters and dark matter, which exerts a powerful gravitational pull. The precise nature and extent of the Great Attractor are still subjects of ongoing research.

The name "Laniakea" comes from the Hawaiian language and means "immense heaven." This name was chosen to reflect the immense scale of the structure. Studying Laniakea provides valuable insights into the large-scale structure of the universe, galaxy formation, and the distribution of matter across cosmic distances. It helps astronomers understand how gravity shapes the cosmos over billions of years.