14 DAY TRIAL // Figuring out the large-scale structure of the Universe, as well as the influences of the various forces acting within it, is a tremendously complex process. In order to solve this riddle, German astronomers created an advanced, artificial intelligence algorithm.
The new tool will help the experts chart and explain the structure and dynamics of the Universe at a level of detail currently impossible to achieve. Details of the algorithm appear in the latest issue of the esteemed journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
The research group was led by expert Francisco Kitaura, who holds an appointment with the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics (LIA), in Potsdam. He explains that the large-scale structure of the Universe is in the habit of becoming increasingly complex the more we look at it.
Many telescopes around the world spend their observation time on analyzing the distances separating us from various galaxies, clusters and superclusters in the Cosmos. The patterns in which mass is distributed is very mysterious, since it does not respect the current cosmological models.
When seen from a distance, the Universe is permeated by a cosmic web made up of galactic clusters, which are tied to each other through filaments on which other galaxies circulate. Between these nodes, huge empty spaces can cover distances of up to 3 billion light-years.
The two most important forces acting on matter are gravity and dark energy, while dark matter contributes to the mystery as well. While the latter accounts for around 23 percent of the Universe's mass-energy budget, dark energy accounts for 72 percent of the same budget.
All three factors are part of the Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) cosmological model. However, it is impossible to observe dark matter and dark energy with existing technologies, AlphaGalileo reports. This largely happens because dark matter only interacts with normal matter through gravity.
“Finding the dark matter distribution corresponding to a galaxy catalog is like trying to make a geographical map of Europe from a satellite image during the night that only shows the light coming from dense populated areas,” Dr. Kitaura explains.
The simulation his team developed was able to model the current distribution of mass in the Universe by starting its analysis from fluctuations Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) density. This background is the residual light left behind by the Big Bang.
“Our precise calculations show that the direction of motion and 80% of the speed of the galaxies that make up the Local Group can be explained by the gravitational forces that arise from matter up to 370 million light years away,” the expert says.
“Our results are also in close agreement with the predictions of the LCDM model. To explain the rest of the 20% of the speed, we need to consider the influence of matter up to about 460 million light years away, but at the moment the data are less reliable at such a large distance,” he concludes.