A team of international astrophysicists has apparently created the most comprehensive 3D map of the universe yet that could reveal the secrets of the inner workings of the cosmos.

This newest map claims to become one of the most complete and detailed maps of the universe that can offer valuable inforamtion and insight how matter was distrubuted across the universe including the mysterious dark matter where most of the mass of the universe comes from. 

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Researchers who mapped out the universe in 3D are Mike Hudson, Jonathan Carrick and Stephen Turnbull of the University of Waterloo including Guilhem Lavaux from the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris.

To the regular viewer, the map looks like a mountain range that includes random curving lines that can be representative of peaks and valleys however to scientists, this is an estimation of the quantum fluctuations that occurred during the early stages of the universe. 

The details of the map can be interpreted as the lighter areas are filled with heavy concentrations of galaxies where the darker ones mean that they have less galaxies in those regions. Red parts indicate a supercluster of galaxies which is the largest known by scientists and the cross represents the Milky Way galaxy. Blue areas of the map are the ones that are yet to be explored which are also uncharted regions.

What makes this universe map unique from the others that astrophysicists have already released is that this one demonstrates the location and movement of matter flowing in the universe especially the special motion of galaxies. This particular movement can explain how the universe expands and pinpoint the origins of dark matter and even provide pivotal clues about the amount of dark matter in a certain region.

Dark matter makes up the majority of the universe however, it is invisible and can only be detected via gravitational lensing and forces that interact with other objects in the cosmos. Hudson adds that dark matter is essential in the understanding of the formation of galaxies and the structural regions they reside in including superclusters and voids.

This map is published on the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Tags3D map of the universe, dark matter, most complete map of the universe, map of the universe