The universe, although we have only a limited understanding of it, is a place of immeasurable enormity. Within this vast expanse are massive galaxies, colossal planets, and stars of astonishing magnitude. However, there is always one entity that surpasses all others in terms of size and weight. The heaviest objects in the universe They are also the ones that exert the greatest force of gravity.
In this article we are going to tell you which are the heaviest objects in the universe and their characteristics.
The heaviest objects in the Universe
GQ Lupi b, the largest exoplanet
Astronomers discovered an exoplanet orbiting the star GQ Lupi in 2005. This planet, outside our Solar System, is a projected distance of about 100 astronomical units from its star, giving it an orbital period of about 1.200 years. GQ Lupi b is estimated to have a radius 3,5 times that of Jupiter, making it the largest exoplanet discovered to date. It is also interesting to see how it form the planets in our universe, and its importance within the context of heavier objects.
UY Scuti, the largest star in the universe
with a radio approximately 1.700 times larger than that of the Sun, UY Scuti is a hypergiant star that has earned a prominent place in the celestial sphere. A point of reference: if the Sun were replaced by UY Scuti, the latter's circumference would extend beyond Jupiter's orbit; In addition, the star's gaseous and dusty emanations would extend beyond Pluto's orbit.
The Tarantula Nebula
La nebula called 30 Doradus is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a minor satellite galaxy orbiting our Milky Way, located approximately 170.000 light-years from Earth. It is widely recognized as the most intricate and dynamic region for star formation within the galaxies present in the Local Group. In this context, it is fascinating to explore the processes of star formation, which are fundamental to our understanding of the cosmos. Furthermore, this nebula helps us better understand the types of nebulae and its relationship with the heaviest objects in the universe.
The most significant void in space to date is the supervoid located in the constellation Eridanus.
Supervoid on Eridanus
In 2004, a group of astronomers detected a vast void while analyzing a sequence of maps generated by NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) satellite. WMAP collected detailed information about the cosmic radiation microwave background, which is the radiation left over from the Big Bang.
The point in question, which Measuring a staggering 1.800 billion light years, it is exceptionally peculiar for its lack of stars, gas, dust and even dark matter.. Despite previous observations of similar voids, scientists are still struggling to understand how such a vast and expansive void of this magnitude could have materialized.
IC 1101, the largest galaxy
The Milky Way, our home galaxy, spans an estimated distance of 100.000 light years. In comparison, this size seems quite ordinary. For example, IC 1101, the largest galaxy known to astronomers, is approximately 50 times more expansive than the Milky Way and approximately 2.000 times its mass. The exploration of these types of galaxies is fundamental to understanding the formation and evolution of the universe. This is related to the study of how galaxies form and evolve. galaxies in the cosmos.
TON 618, largest massive hole
A hyperluminous quasar named TON 618 is located at the north galactic pole in the constellation of Canes Venatici. Recent research suggests that it may host the largest supermassive black hole ever observed, with a potential mass of 66 trillion times that of the Sun. This discovery highlights the importance of studying extreme objects in the cosmos to gain insight into the nature of gravity, which is in line with our understanding of the relativistic energy that occurs in these phenomena.
Fermi bubbles, masses of gaseous matter
In 2010, astronomers used the Fermi telescope to detect massive formations emerging from the Milky Way. These vast regions, only visible within specific wavelengths of light, They extend to a staggering height of 25.000 light years, which is equivalent to a quarter of the width of our galaxy.The prevailing consensus among researchers is that these bubbles were formed by a feeding frenzy that took place in the past, involving our galaxy's central black hole. This resulted in significant energy discharges, colloquially known as "burps," a phenomenon that can be linked to the energy and fluid physics in the galactic environment.
Laniakea, the largest supercluster
The Milky Way, our home galaxy, is simply a small component of a vast amalgam of galaxy clusters called Laniakea. This collection, although not delimited by any formal boundary, is believed to include approximately 100.000 galaxies with a combined mass of 10.000 trillion times that of our Sun. It extends to a distance of more than 520 million light years, according to astronomers' estimates. Research into the structure of Laniakea helps us understand our position in the universe and how it relates to the observable universe.
The Huge-LQG, collection of quasars
Quasars are a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when a black hole, located at the core of a galaxy, begins to engulf any matter that is in its proximity. This event generates an enormous amount of energy, discharged in various forms such as radio waves, light, infrared, ultraviolet and X-rays, causing quasars to become the most luminous entities in the observable universe. With 73 quasars and an approximate mass of 6,1 quintillion (a numerical value accompanied by 30 zeros), Huge-LQG is an exceptional astronomical phenomenon. Observing these quasars also provides clues about the evolution of galaxies and how they relate to the heaviest objects in the universe.
Great Wall Hercules-Corona Borealis, the largest entity
The colossal galaxy formation, known as the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall, spans an incredible distance of 10 billion light years and has the potential to host billions of galaxies. This impressive superstructure is named after its location between the constellations Hercules and Corona Borealis and is currently recognized as the most extensive and heaviest structure identified in the observable universe.
How do we know which are the heaviest objects in the universe?
Determining the weight of celestial objects in the universe, such as galaxies and stars, is a complex process that involves several fundamental methods and concepts of physics and astronomy. These are the aspects that are taken into account:
- Gravity and Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: First of all, we must understand that every object with mass exerts a force of gravity that attracts other objects towards it. This force of gravity follows Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which states that the force of attraction is directly proportional to the mass of objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
- Orbits and Kepler's Laws: To determine the mass of stars and binary systems, astronomers observe the motion of objects in orbit around them. Kepler's laws describe how objects move in these orbits and allow the mass of the central object to be calculated from their orbits and the gravitational force they experience.
- Spectroscopy: La spectroscopy It is a valuable tool for determining the chemical composition and physical properties of stars. By analyzing the light emitted by a star, astronomers can determine its temperature, composition, and luminosity. This data is critical for estimating its mass, which in turn relates to the study of types of stars.
- Observations of gravitational effects: Through precise observations, astronomers can detect gravitational effects, such as gravitational lensing, that reveal the mass of distant objects. These phenomena are caused by the curvature of space-time due to the mass of an object, such as a galaxy, which distorts the light from objects behind it.
- Stellar and galactic evolution models: Scientists also use theoretical models of stellar and galactic evolution. By comparing these predictions with actual observations, they can determine the mass of stars and galaxies. For example, in this context, various cosmic phenomena can be considered that help us understand the structure of the universe.
- Motion and radial velocity measurements: By observing how stars move within a galaxy or how galaxies move away from each other, astronomers can estimate their masses through velocity equations and observations.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about which are the heaviest objects in the universe and their characteristics.