voidsdescribed

Voids are vast, empty spaces in the universe, typically found between galaxies and galaxy clusters. They are regions where the density of matter is significantly lower than average, often containing only a few galaxies. Voids are not entirely devoid of matter; they contain a sparse distribution of gas and dust, as well as dark matter, which is believed to make up a significant portion of the universe's mass.

The formation of voids is thought to be a result of the gravitational growth of structures in the universe. As galaxies and clusters of galaxies form, they leave behind large, underdense regions. Voids can range in size from a few megaparsecs to tens of megaparsecs, with the largest known voids being several hundred megaparsecs across.

Voids play a crucial role in the large-scale structure of the universe. They are often surrounded by filaments of galaxies and gas, which are the walls of the voids. These filaments connect the voids to the denser regions of the universe, forming a complex web-like structure known as the cosmic web.

The study of voids provides valuable insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy, as well as the processes of galaxy formation and evolution. Voids are also of interest to cosmologists because they can be used to test theories of gravity and the structure of the universe on large scales.