Astronomers at the University of Oxford have identified what may be the largest rotating structure ever observed in the cosmos in a remarkable space discovery.
The structure is a threadlike filament of gas stretching 5.5 million light-years across space.
Situated some 140 million light-years from our planet, the spinning colossus measures 117,000 light-years in width, making it broader than the Milky Way galaxy.
The discovery, detailed in findings published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, features 14 galaxies rich in hydrogen arranged along the gaseous strand in a chain-like formation.
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Researchers believe the rotating structure could provide an understanding of how galaxies form.
The hydrogen-rich galaxies attached to the filament resemble charms strung on a bracelet, and their presence revealed the existence of the gaseous structure itself.
The team made their unexpected observation whilst operating MeerKAT, a South African facility comprising 64 interconnected radio telescopes.
Lyla Jung, an astronomer at the University of Oxford who served as co-lead author of the study, described the moment of discovery.
Astronomers compared the discovery to a 'giant teacup ride'
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"The initial discovery itself was a surprise," she said.
"We noticed a striking alignment of galaxies glowing at the same distance."
Dr Jung added: "What makes this structure exceptional is not just its size but the combination of spin alignment and rotational motion.
"You can liken it to a ‘teacups’ ride at a theme park.
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"Each galaxy is like a spinning teacup, but the whole platform the cosmic filament is rotating too."
The observation forms part of the ongoing MIGHTEE survey - the MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration - which is currently examining deep space using the sensitive radio telescope array.
Measurements taken by the research team revealed the filament is spinning at almost 250,000mph - approximately 68 miles per second.
The galaxies connected to it are also rotating, with most moving in the same direction as the gaseous thread.
These findings suggest such cosmic structures could influence how galaxies develop by affecting both the velocity and direction of rotation in star clusters.
Madalina Tudorache, a University of Oxford astronomer working on the research, described the filament as "probably the largest spinning object" yet found by astronomers.
She noted computer simulations had long predicted such structures would exist but that telescopes have only recently become sufficiently sensitive to observe them directly in space.
Researchers anticipate finding additional rotating filaments as next-generation telescopes peer further into the cosmos.
These structures connect to form what scientists describe as a vast cosmic web, channelling matter across the universe and creating large, interconnected galaxy clusters.
Additional data from MIGHTEE may illuminate more details about the filament's behaviour and potentially reveal other rotating cosmic threads.
The findings could also inform upcoming surveys conducted by new facilities, including Chile's Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
"I think it's really helping us understand the universe," Ms Tudorache said.
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