This stunning cluster is located around 240 million light-years away from Earth and is home to thousands of galaxies packed tightly together in a gravitationally bound structure
This cluster emits powerful X-rays due to the intense heat of gases between its galaxies. These gases are estimated to be tens of millions of degrees, producing a stunning display when captured in different wavelengths.
One of the Perseus cluster’s unique features is its “sound.” Scientists have translated fluctuations in the X-ray emissions into sound waves, giving us a rare “audio” glimpse into cosmic activity.
This black hole ejects massive jets of material, heating up the surrounding gas and generating shockwaves across the cluster.
This creates an environment rich with colliding gases and merging galaxies, which generate extreme phenomena such as galactic tidal waves and starbursts.
By studying the gravitational effects within the cluster, researchers can estimate the amount and distribution of dark matter, gaining insights into its role in galaxy formation and cluster stability.
As one of the most luminous X-ray sources in the sky, Perseus is a key focus for astronomers studying the large-scale structure of the universe
Future telescope missions, like the James Webb Space Telescope and advanced X-ray observatories, will continue to reveal new details about Perseus and clusters like it.