Astronomers just discovered a structure that's bigger than anything that's ever been found in the universe

Astronomers have discovered a wall in space so huge that even Donald Trump would be impressed by its size. The wall, aptly named the BOSS Great Wall after the international galaxy mapping effort Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, marks the biggest cosmic structure ever observed in the universe. It's comprised of 830 separate galaxies, spans 1 billion light years across, and has a mass estimated to be 10,000 times greater than that of our own Milky Way.
But wait, a wall in space? Scientists explain that these walls, which are the biggest things in space, are formed when gravity pulls galaxies together forming superclusters. Those superclusters are then linked together by filaments of hot gas, forming walls that Smithsonian Magazine says resemble "a cosmic honeycomb."
The discovery of the BOSS Great Wall comes as researchers for Sloan Digital Sky Survey attempt to map space's web of walls to gain insight into the universe's past, its present size, and its future growth. And while the BOSS is big, what's even more surprising is that scientists think that even bigger structures are still out there.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
El Palace Barcelona: old-world luxury in the heart of the city
The Week Recommends This historic hotel is set within a former Ritz outpost moments from the Passeig de Gràcia
-
The best history books to read in 2025
The Week Recommends These fascinating deep-dives are perfect for history buffs
-
July 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Friday’s political cartoons include the danger of talking politics at a family picnic, and disappearing Medicaid entitlements
-
Ukraine scrambles as Trump cuts weapons deliveries
Speed Read The halting of weapons shipments was driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, a Ukraine funding skeptic
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Iran nukes program set back months, early intel suggests
Speed Read A Pentagon assessment says US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites only set the program back by months, not years. This contradicts President Donald Trump's claim.
-
Trump says Iran and Israel agreed to ceasefire
Speed Read This followed a night of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and multiple waves of missiles fired by Iran
-
Israel strikes Iran, killing military and nuclear chiefs
Speed Read Israeli officials said the attack was a 'preemptive' strike on Iran's nuclear program
-
Israel deports Thunberg after seizing Gaza aid boat
speed read The Swedish activist was delivering food and medical aid to Palestine, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis there
-
Colombian senator shot on streets of Bogotá
speed read Miguel Uribe Turbay, who has announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election, was shot at a rally