Galaxy Supercluster Analysis and Visualization: Project Goals

Determining the large-scale structure of galaxy distribution in the local universe is currently an active research area in cosmology. Features called superclusters, which are global overdensities of galaxies, are of particular interest. Superclusters are comprised of a collection of galaxy clusters, which are smaller-scale and more dense regions of galaxies, along with the regions between these clusters, known as inter-cluster regions. It is currently unknown if the galaxies between clusters, or inter-cluster galaxies, exhibit ordered substructure within the bulk overdensity. The potential inter-cluster structures, particular those in the Horologium-Reticulum supercluster, are the focus of our astronomer colleagues. Knowledge of supercluster substructure may help to confirm or refute current models of the universe’s structural evolution.