What is the most massive galaxy cluster in the universe?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the object in the universe with the greatest angular momentum, exploring various candidates such as supermassive black holes, neutron stars, and galaxy clusters. The conversation includes theoretical considerations and implications of angular momentum in astrophysical contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies may have the greatest angular momentum, as they can drive massive jets of relativistic particles.
  • Others argue that neutron stars could be contenders for having significant angular momentum due to their surface and rotational characteristics, despite lacking a surface in black holes.
  • A later reply questions the definition of objects considered, suggesting that if gravitationally bound objects are included, the largest galaxy cluster might be the most massive.
  • Participants note that the strength of jets from black holes is influenced by both angular momentum and the amount of matter falling into them.
  • There is a mention of the Coma cluster as a significant galaxy cluster, which has over 1000 identified galaxies and is historically linked to the proposal of dark matter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on which type of object has the greatest angular momentum, with no consensus reached on a definitive answer. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most massive object when considering different definitions and contexts.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of defining angular momentum in various astrophysical objects and the implications of gravitational binding in determining mass. There are unresolved aspects regarding the criteria for comparison among different types of celestial objects.

Loren Booda
Messages
3,115
Reaction score
4
What object in the universe is known as having the greatest angular momentum?
 
Space news on Phys.org
Loren Booda said:
What object in the universe is known as having the greatest angular momentum?
Hmmm. I'm not sure that has ever been tested in detail. If you mean singular object, and exclude collections of objects like galaxies and galaxy clusters, then my bet would be the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies have the most. They use this angular momentum to drive massive jets of highly relativistic particles (traveling very near the speed of light), jets that can be as long or longer than the galaxy itself. I'm not sure which one has the strongest jet, but then the problem is that the strength of the jet isn't only a function of the black hole's angular momentum, but also the amount of matter falling into it. So quiet supermassive black holes may well have very large angular momenta, but without matter falling into them it's hard to tell.
 
I would vote neutron stars. I can see how a black hole can have a rotational axis, but, not a surface. Matter falling into a black hole could acquire significant angular momentum, but, not nearly as much as the surface of a neutron star, imo.
 
Last edited:
Chronos said:
I would vote neutron stars, in the conventional sense. Black holes do not have a surface. Matter falling into a black hole could acquire significant angular momentum, but, not nearly as much as the surface of a neutron star, imo.
Angular momentum is one of the few properties a black hole does have, though: no hair theorems show that a black hole can only be distinguished by mass, charge, and angular momentum.

And while neutron stars have very high rotational speeds, they really don't have more angular momentum than the stars they are produced from.
 
How about for an object defined as being gravitationally bound?
 
Loren Booda said:
How about for an object defined as being gravitationally bound?
Including galaxies and galaxy clusters? Then the winner would almost certainly just be the largest galaxy cluster.
 
Any one in particular?
 
Loren Booda said:
Any one in particular?
Well, I'm just not sure what the most massive galaxy cluster that we've so far detected is. The Coma cluster is pretty impressive, though, coming in at over 1000 so far identified galaxies:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_Cluster

It was observations of this cluster, actually, that first led to the proposal of dark matter by Fritz Zwicky.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Can there be structures made from neutrinos with angular momentum?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Graduate What does it mean to model the distribution of galaxies as cosmic dust?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Undergrad Deviations of conservation laws in cosmological evolution?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Do particles leave behind an image when crossing cosmo event horizon?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Undergrad Question on halos of matter made from massive and stable particles?
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
7K
Undergrad Angular momentum of the Universe
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad Bullet Cluster explained without 'dark substances'
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School Angular momentum, degeneracy pressure, and cosmic inflation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad ##r-##independent angular momentum in quantum mechanics
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad Expansion-Collapse cycle in cosmological structures?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K