Astronomers have identified what may be the largest-scale structure in the known universe—a vast superstructure made up of galaxy clusters stretching across an astonishing 1.3 billion light-years. Dubbed Quipu, this massive formation contains an estimated 200 quadrillion solar masses, making it one of the most significant cosmic discoveries in recent years.
Named after an ancient Incan system of counting that used knotted cords, Quipu’s structure resembles its namesake, consisting of one long filament with multiple smaller filaments branching off. This unique shape makes it stand out from other large-scale cosmic formations.
Outpacing Previous Record-Holders
In terms of length, Quipu surpasses some of the previously known largest structures in the universe. It exceeds the Laniākea supercluster, which is home to the Milky Way, and the Sloan Great Wall, which spans around 1.1 billion light-years. Some past studies have suggested that the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall may be the largest structure at around 10 billion light-years, but its existence remains debated. The discovery was announced in a preprint paper posted on ArXiv on January 31 and has been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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Mapping the Universe’s Hidden Structures
The research is part of a long-term effort to map the matter distribution of the universe at different wavelengths of light. Astronomers used redshift data—measuring how light stretches as objects move away from us—to identify the vast cosmic web of galaxies and matter. They focused on a range of redshifts between 0.3 and 0.6, representing distances of roughly 425 million to 815 million light-years from Earth.
Alongside Quipu, four other massive superstructures were detected:
- Serpens-Corona Borealis Superstructure
- Hercules Supercluster
- Sculptor-Pegasus Superstructure
- Shapley Supercluster (previously considered one of the largest known)
These five structures combined contain 45% of all known galaxy clusters, 30% of the observable galaxies, and 25% of the universe’s total matter. Together, they occupy 13% of the observable universe’s volume.
How Quipu Affects Our View of the Cosmos
This massive structure doesn’t just add to the growing list of superclusters—it also influences how we measure the universe itself. The researchers found that Quipu and the other superstructures impact the cosmic microwave background (CMB)—the residual radiation from the Big Bang. Their gravitational pull also affects the Hubble constant, which determines the universe’s rate of expansion. Additionally, Quipu’s gravitational field bends light in a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, which can distort images of the distant cosmos.
A Temporary Yet Crucial Structure
Despite its immense scale, Quipu is not permanent. The universe’s constant expansion will eventually pull apart the massive structure, breaking it into smaller, collapsing units. “In the future cosmic evolution, these superstructures are bound to break up into several collapsing units,” the researchers wrote. “But at present, they are special physical entities with characteristic properties and special cosmic environments deserving special attention.”
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This discovery represents a major step in understanding the large-scale structure of the universe. While Quipu may not hold the title of largest cosmic structure indefinitely, its impact on astronomy is undeniable—pushing the boundaries of how we map and interpret the vastness of space.