Scientists have created a 3D map of the universe using data on the positions of nearly 1.3 million quasars collected by the Gaia space telescope.
Quasars are extremely bright objects that can be seen across vast cosmic distances, making them ideal for mapping the large-scale structure of the universe. Their positions correlate with dense clumps of dark matter.
The map, called Quaia, provides the most detailed 3D map ever made, covering a volume of 7.67 cubic gigaparsecs.
By comparing the Quaia map to temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background, scientists found they match up in terms of the predicted density of matter at early times.
This validation helps constrain our understanding of how large-scale structures like galaxies evolved over the history of the universe.
The quasar map was assembled using data as a “bonus” from the Gaia telescope’s primary task of mapping Milky Way stars, demonstrating what can be learned from multipurpose astronomy missions.
Source: space
