Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Space

Mystery 'dark flow' extends towards edge of universe

By Marcus Chown

11 November 2009

Âé¶¹´«Ã½. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Galaxies going places

(Image: NASA/M.Markevitch et al/STSCI; Maggellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al)

SOMETHING big is out there beyond the visible edge of our universe. That’s the conclusion of the largest analysis to date of over 1000 galaxy clusters streaming in one direction at blistering speeds. Some researchers say this so-called “dark flow” is a sign that other universes nestle next door.

Last year, of the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and colleagues identified an unusual pattern in the motion of around 800 galaxy clusters. They studied the clusters’ motion in the “afterglow” of the big bang,…

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