Is the Cosmic Void Between Galaxies Truly Empty?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of cosmic voids between galaxies, specifically questioning whether these regions are truly empty. Participants explore various aspects of cosmic voids, including their composition, the presence of dark matter, radiation, and theoretical fields, as well as the implications of cosmic expansion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that cosmic voids are not completely empty, containing lower densities of matter and dark matter compared to other regions of the universe.
  • One participant argues that while voids may be considered "empty" by human standards, they still contain radiation, neutrinos, and occasional dust particles.
  • Another viewpoint emphasizes that the term "void" does not exclude the presence of theoretical fields, such as the Higgs field, and questions how gravity waves propagate through these regions.
  • A participant raises the question of whether the space between galaxies contains atoms, leading to a clarification that space is not being created but rather that distances between unbound objects are increasing over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and implications of cosmic voids, with no consensus on whether they can be considered truly empty or what that entails.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of defining "empty" in the context of cosmic voids, noting the presence of various forms of radiation and theoretical fields, as well as the nuances of cosmic expansion.

Mohd Abdullah
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Hey guys,

Regarding the cosmic void between galaxies, is it really empty? If you read articles from pop science sources mostly said "cosmic voids are devoid of matter", "there are full of dark matter", etc.

Thoughts?
 
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Mohd Abdullah said:
Hey guys,

Regarding the cosmic void between galaxies, is it really empty? If you read articles from pop science sources mostly said "cosmic voids are devoid of matter", "there are full of dark matter", etc.

Thoughts?
Well, "empty" gets to be a bit more complicated than you might think, as witnessed by the many hundreds of threads on this forum discussing just that.

Basically it is "empty" by human standards but not really. First and foremost there is a huge amount of radiation passing through it plus neutrinos and the odd dust particle here and there.

EDIT: also, NEVER take pop-science seriously.
 
Cosmic voids are not completely empty, they just contain a much lower density of matter and dark matter than other areas of the universe (such as around galaxy clusters).
 
Well I am just going to be happy I don't care. :-).

But seriously while we are on this topic, strictly in technical term, the void doesn't mean cosmic dust, radiation, or dark matter or anything like that. There are supposed to be this Higgs field and who knows what else that we have not discovered. I mean how does gravity wave travel? If indeed gravity waves have been detected, this empty space at least will have some type of gravity field or whatever that is.
 
SleepDeprived said:
Well I am just going to be happy I don't care. :-).

But seriously while we are on this topic, strictly in technical term, the void doesn't mean cosmic dust, radiation, or dark matter or anything like that. There are supposed to be this Higgs field and who knows what else that we have not discovered. I mean how does gravity wave travel? If indeed gravity waves have been detected, this empty space at least will have some type of gravity field or whatever that is.

Void in this context simply means that the density of matter and dark matter across a very wide area of space is much lower than average. Remember, context matters! :wink:
 
What about the space being created all the time between galaxies. Does that space have any atoms in it?
 
lifeonmercury said:
What about the space being created all the time between galaxies. Does that space have any atoms in it?

Space is not being "created". The distance between unbound objects is simply increasing over time. (that's a subtle but important distinction)
Also, no, expansion does not create new matter.
 

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