Astrophysical object
Galaxy Cluster
Cosmology & UniverseEstablished Science
Definition
A gravitationally bound collection of hundreds to thousands of galaxies — the largest such structures.
Scientific overview
Galaxy clusters contain hundreds to thousands of galaxies, vast clouds of hot X-ray gas, and dominant dark-matter halos. They act as cosmic laboratories and gravitational lenses, and their abundance over time probes cosmology.
Related scientists
Related topics
Knowledge connections
- Related toStructure Formation
- Related toLarge-Scale Structure
- Related toDark Matter Halo
- Related toLarge-Scale Structure
- Related toSupercluster
- Related toDark Matter Halo
- Studied byFritz Zwicky
- Related toSupercluster
- Associated withThe Virgo Cluster
- Associated withThe Coma Cluster
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.
- ESOEuropean Southern Observatory
Southern-hemisphere observatory data and imagery (VLT, ALMA partner).