Chapter 1: The New Cosmic Map

Astronomers from Johns Hopkins University have developed an innovative map of the universe.

Credit: Visualization By B. Menard & N. Shtarkman

This map accurately depicts the positions and colors of 200,000 galaxies. Research indicates that there are trillions of galaxies within the universe, encompassing both large and dwarf varieties. Each point on this map represents a galaxy, with our own Milky Way identified as a single dot at the bottom. Advancing along the map leads us to the cosmic microwave background radiation, marking the universe's first phase of transparency to light. Beyond this point, we cannot observe further; photons from earlier moments will never reach us. Prior to this, the universe appears as an unremarkable expanse, akin to the walls of a room.

Brice Ménard, the map's creator and a professor at Johns Hopkins, stated,

"In this map, we are merely a small speck at the very bottom, just one pixel representing our galaxy, the Milky Way, which contains billions of stars and planets. Typically, we view astronomical images showcasing one galaxy here or a group of galaxies there, but this map illustrates a vastly different perspective."

From this tiny speck, we can trace galaxies across the entire universe, highlighting the impressive capabilities of scientific inquiry. — Brice Ménard

The observable universe as we know it today stems from the predominance of matter over antimatter. Recent findings suggest that right-handed neutrinos might contribute to the observed matter-antimatter imbalance, and the expanding universe could have functioned as a cosmological collider. By investigating nearly weightless particles known as neutrinos, which are the most prevalent particles in the universe, we may uncover deeper insights into the universe's origins.

Moreover, it's essential to clarify misconceptions regarding the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Big Bang theory. While the Big Bang remains a debated concept, JWST is not designed to offer direct evidence about it. However, the data provided by JWST could prompt a reevaluation of our understanding of galaxy formation.

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Chapter 2: Exploring the Observable Universe

The first video titled "New Interactive Map Offers Scroll Through Universe" provides an engaging look at the new cosmic map.

The second video, "Incredible Map That Shows The Entire Observable Universe (That You Can Explore!)", further explores the vastness of our universe and its mapping.