Discovery of a spinning chain of galaxies<\/p>\n
In this case, the researchers identified a line of 14 hydrogen-rich galaxies stretching 5.5 million light-years long and 117,000 light-years wide, all within a larger filament spanning 50 million light-years. The same structure contains more than 280 galaxies.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s most remarkable is that most of these galaxies<\/a> rotate in the same direction as the filament itself\u2014a phenomenon that current models can\u2019t fully explain.<\/p>\n NEW: Researchers have found a \u2018razor-thin\u2019 string of galaxies rotating together inside a giant cosmic filament 140 million light-years away \u2013 one of the largest spinning structures ever seen.<\/p>\n Find out more \u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/DsQKGTPibj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) December 4, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n What it means for galaxy formation<\/p>\n The discovery suggests that the flow of matter through cosmic filaments may influence galaxy rotation far more than previously thought\u2014and for a much longer time. The young, gas-rich galaxies studied here are still forming stars, offering scientists a rare opportunity to observe galactic evolution in progress.<\/p>\n This breakthrough gives astronomers a clearer picture of how galaxies gain their rotation and evolve within the grand architecture of the cosmos. It\u2019s a major step forward in understanding the forces that have shaped the Universe<\/a> since its earliest days.<\/p>\n Dr. Lyla Jung, co-lead author of the study and a physicist at Oxford, explains it this way: \u201cWhat makes this structure so extraordinary isn\u2019t just its size\u2014it\u2019s the way everything spins together. Imagine a carousel of teacups at an amusement park. Each galaxy spins like a teacup, but the entire platform\u2014the cosmic filament\u2014is rotating too. That dual motion gives us an unprecedented glimpse into how galaxies inherit their spin from the larger structures around them.\u201d<\/p>\n The research relied on data from South Africa\u2019s 64-antenna MeerKAT radio telescope, combined with other radio and optical observations. Together, these insights offer the most detailed look yet at the complex structure and movement of the cosmic web.<\/p>\n R\u00e9my Decourt<\/p>\n Journalist<\/p>\n Born shortly after Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon in 1969, my journey into space exploration has been entirely self-taught. A military stay in Mururoa sparked my formal education in space sciences, and early sky-watching experiences in an astronomy club ignited my passion. I founded flashespace.com, transitioning from sky observation to a deep interest in space missions, satellites, and human and robotic exploration. Since 2010, I’ve been part of Futura’s editorial team, covering space news and working as a freelance writer with extensive international field experience in space-related sites.<\/p>\n \t\t![\"decourt-remy\"](\"https:\/\/www.futura-sciences.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/decourt-remy.avif\")
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