3D Render of the Local Void and surrounding systems. Credit: R. Brent Tully

The way most of us think about the universe is a bit how we thought about Santa Clause growing up. One moment the magic is real and possibilities seem endless, and then you suddenly realize the truth – life has been a lie and you are surrounded by emptiness. Happy Tuesday everyone – have a hard drink and get ready to have your imagination shattered once again!

So back to the universe. Most of look up at the night sky and imagine it full of galaxies and star systems. It is quite full, but the surprising fact is that roughly 80% of that space is empty nothingness with little or no density at all. One of the larger observable voids is known as the Local Void and our Milky Way galaxy is right next to it.

This somehow sounds scary at first, but it´s just the opposite. Because voids are relatively empty, they do not have the gravitational pull to keep matter within them. However, denser regions of space such as the Virgo Cluster are so packed with matter that their gravity tugs on surrounding systems such as the Milky Way. The Local Void is estimated to be between 150-200 million lightyears across and is continuing to grow as dense regions of space pull together.

If you have not realized by now, it is time to come to terms. As matter pulls closer and closer together, the gaps between will continue to grow. Dense regions will clash, eventually forming massive black holes that endlessly float alone through space with hopes of meeting another black hole to cannibalize. In all the chaos, life will cease to exist. Beyond that, there will just be emptiness – pure emptiness.

That´s all folks. Now stop thinking about it and go outside. YOLO!

Video Time

Check out the video below from Frasier Crane Fraser Cain. He provides a brief but thorough explanation of cosmic voids.

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