Astronomers Discover Quipu: The Largest Structure in the Universe

On June 27, 2025, astronomers announced the discovery of a colossal cosmic filament named Quipu, which has been identified as the largest structure in the universe. Spanning approximately 1.3 billion light-years—roughly 7.6 sextillion miles—Quipu surpasses the previously recognized Shapley Superstructure in size and mass, raising significant questions about cosmic structure and dynamics.

Quipu's immense dimensions were highlighted by a research team led by Hans Böhringer from the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE). The superstructure is reported to contain approximately 200 quadrillion solar masses, encapsulating a significant portion of all matter in its vicinity. This weighty concentration is believed to influence galaxy motions and the cosmic microwave background (CMB), potentially altering our understanding of cosmic expansion.

The term "superstructure" refers to the vast alignments of galaxies and clusters that form filaments within the cosmic web, a framework that cosmologists use to map the universe. Quipu is notable for housing 68 galaxy clusters, strategically positioned like beads on a cosmic cord, an arrangement that was deduced by tracking X-ray emissions from the clusters. These emissions indicate the presence of hot gas within the clusters, a method described in a study published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

According to Böhringer, the discovery of Quipu validates long-standing predictions from the ΛCDM model, which theorizes the existence of massive filaments in the universe. The researchers noted that these structures are more than mere curiosities; they are central to understanding the distribution of galaxies and the dynamics of cosmic evolution.

"They are thus transient configurations. They are special physical entities with characteristic properties and special cosmic environments deserving special attention," Böhringer stated.

In the context of cosmic geography, Quipu’s location—approximately 400 million to 800 million light-years from Earth—allows it to exert a measurable gravitational influence on its surroundings. This influence can distort measurements of cosmic expansion, complicating the calculation of the Hubble constant, a critical parameter in cosmology that measures the rate of expansion of the universe.

The implications of Quipu extend beyond its immediate vicinity. Its mass could affect the Integrated Sachs–Wolfe effect, where photons from the CMB gain energy as they pass through gravitational wells, such as that created by Quipu. This phenomenon was observed by the Planck satellite, which detected temperature fluctuations that align with theoretical predictions concerning massive structures.

The research team utilized data from the CLASSIX survey, which aggregates information from multiple satellite observatories to identify the hottest and most massive clusters in the universe. Once the structure's outline was mapped, gravitational models were employed to infer the presence of dark matter connecting the bright clusters.

As astronomers anticipate the future of Quipu, simulations suggest that its components may drift apart over billions of years, evolving into self-contained systems of galaxies and dark matter. Upcoming observational projects, both terrestrial and orbital, are expected to provide deeper insights into these structures, helping to refine measurements of the CMB and further elucidate the nature of galaxy formation and evolution within these grand cosmic frameworks.

In summary, the discovery of Quipu not only sets a new benchmark for cosmic structures but also poses intriguing questions about the universe's architecture and the forces that govern it. As more data is gathered, the astronomical community remains vigilant, eager to uncover more secrets hidden within these vast expanses of space.