SUPERCLUSTER: EXISTENCE IN A SPIRAL ENTAGLEMENT
Streams of galaxy groups can be seen to connect clusters of galaxies with each other while forming the largest structures in the universe. Each cluster forming the content of the supercluster follows the mechanism of inflow and outflow, according to the universal mechanism of structure formation in all scales in the universe. The streams of galaxy groups flowing out from one cluster may feed the streams flowing towards another cluster. Thus the clusters form an intricate network of entanglement . By this process they support the existence and evolution of each other. In such a supercluster the gases have been used up in forming galaxies and clusters and therefore one sees very little gaseous material in the intra-cluster space. However, the interactions among the clusters create hot material which may be observed in X-Rays. The x-ray observation reveals a spiral structure along which the clusters supercluster align themselves. Here we have illustrated this formation of the spiral supercluster known as Shapley supercluster. Several clusters, including Virgo cluster, to which the Local group of galaxies belong, are seen to be flowing towards this supercluster as one travels away from the “Great void” lying in Bootes.
The positions of the richer galaxy clusters in Shapley supercluster is marked. The numbers are numbers of the clusters in Abell catalogue. The core part of the supercluster, centred around Abell3558 cluster, is marked with a circle.
The galaxy groups and clusters distributed in the core region of Shapley supercluster.
Abell 3558 lies at the centre of the Shapley supercluster. Pgc 47202 lies at the centre of this Abell cluster. The detailed views of the inflow and outflow of galaxy groups toward and away from this structure at the heart of Shapley supercluster is shown. It also indicates how individual structures support each other through ejection and accretion.