We Found the Largest Void in the Universe, And We're Smack in the Middle

Researchers say our galaxy is located within an enormous cosmic void, and it's changing the way we understand the universe.


Read More:

Are We Living in a Giant Cosmic Void?
"A team of researchers says the Milky Way resides in one of the observable universe's darkest regions, but some experts aren't so sure."

As Much as Half of the Milky Way Likely Came From Distant Galaxies
"Astronomers looking at how intergalactic gas and dust moves across great distances found that up to half of the matter surrounding us comes from galaxies far, far away."

Researchers Spot a 'Renegade' Supermassive Black Hole
"When a pair of black holes collide, they typically merge, but sometimes one of them may be kicked in the opposite direction at great speed."

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Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure.







This episode of Seeker was hosted by Trace Dominguez

Written by: Sophie Bakoledis

[man_on_wheelz]

I hope after death I'm able to go around and explore the universe at my own leisure like I'm in "create mode" in a video game lol

[briancrane]

Maybe life HAS to live in a void. Could the apparent lack of intelligent life be because the radiation flux is too high in parts of the universe closer to filaments? We find amino acids in space and meteorites but nothing more organized. Perhaps only isolated galaxies can support higher life. What does that do to the Drake equation?

[sniper]

The sun can't be seen 91 light years out and we're in the middle of one of the biggest voids in the universe. No wonder the aliens can't find us.

[ethanwagner]

Aliens aren't visiting us because to them, our transmissions sound like a banjo.

[AL-SH]

Imagine if we were located in a dense galaxy cluster. The sight of the night skies would have been colorful and indeed heavenly.

[K_i_t_t_y]

Maybe the reason our galaxy developed life is because we are in, as you put it, the middle of nowhere. A quiet galaxy that isn't being shot with gamma rays or eaten by giant black holes or smashing into other galaxies seems an ideal place to nurture such a fragile and rare thing as life.

[TheCharleseye]

I've lived in both. Large cities are cesspools. Rural life is great but inconvenient. Small cities/towns (and some suburbs) are the way to go.

[gaactic_muffin]

The fact that we are in a void could also be a key clue to our evolution too. Think about it, galaxies in voids like ours may also be safer for life to evolve. Where as, galaxies in the philiments of the universe are probably exposed to more harmful radiation, gamama ray blasts, black holes, space debris, and galaxy collisions over the course of the universe's history than galaxies that are in voids; creating more great filters for early life to survive through in our philiment cousin galaxies.

[iHopBathroom]

That’s why we can’t find any god damn aliens we’re in the middle of nowhere

[ContinualImprovement]

Largest void in the universe - my credit card after my wife has used it for 2 hours.

[thepie]

How do they find out that this is the biggest void?

[xxmobstrxx]

What If that's the reason aliens haven't found us? We're in a void.

[AnthonyGaleas]

That explains the parties aliens keep having without us getting an invitation

[AmarDamani]

It may be also be the key to survival of life on earth, away from threats like constant GRB & all...

[bleachman]

Largest void huh? God not even other galaxies like us

[freelanceopportunist]

In cosmic terms, we're probably like the last remaining undiscovered tribe....so primitive, they have no concept of the existence of anyone outside their tiny bubble

[chrisma]

Void? I thought our galaxy is part of a bigger super cluster of galaxies that also has a twin supercluster of galaxies. Laniakea anyone?

[BITIBbox]

I wonder if this helps explain the Fermi paradox even if just a little bit. It seems logical that it would be more cost effective to just travel through the filaments like a rather than going to the middle of nowhere.

[nname]

i got a feeling that we are all living inside an atom

[opollo]

We're better off in the cold than being attacked all the time or over run.