Scientists observe mysterious cosmic web directly for first time

Observations reveal cluster of galaxies about 12bn light years away linked by gas filaments

The cosmic web, a vast, mysterious structure that links up far-flung galaxies, has been observed directly for the first time.

The observations reveal that an ancient cluster of galaxies about 12bn light years away in the constellation of Aquarius are linked together by a network of faint gas filaments. The existence of the cosmic web is central to current theories of how galaxies first formed following the big bang, but until now evidence for it had remained largely circumstantial.