Our universe is home to countless galaxies, with researchers estimating as many as two trillion galaxies in the observable universe. These galaxies are not randomly scattered but are found within giant cosmic “bubbles” several hundred million light-years wide. Inside these bubbles lie cosmic voids, regions with few galaxies. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will provide new insights into these voids, allowing us to better understand the universe’s expansion history.
Giovanni Verza of the Flatiron Institute and New York University stated that Roman’s ability to observe vast areas of the sky with great depth will revolutionize the study of cosmic voids. By studying these voids, scientists can gain valuable insights into dark energy, a key component of the cosmos alongside normal matter and dark matter. Voids, being relatively empty of matter, are dominated by dark energy. Through studying voids, researchers can place important constraints on the nature of dark energy.
Original Source: NASA