Galaxy Clusters

Galaxy clusters are massive cosmic structures that contain hundreds to thousands of galaxies, bound together by gravity. They are the largest known gravitationally-bound structures in the universe. In high-energy astrophysics, clusters are important because they contain hot gas that emits X-rays and can accelerate cosmic rays. Studying galaxy clusters helps scientists understand the evolution of the universe, the distribution of dark matter, and the fundamental forces at play in cosmic structures. By observing these clusters, researchers gain insights into phenomena like galaxy formation, the behavior of matter under extreme conditions, and the expansion of the universe.