Large quasar group


A large quasar group is a collection of quasars that form what are thought to constitute the largest astronomical structures in the known universe. LQGs are thought to be precursors to the sheets, walls and filaments of galaxies found in the relatively nearby universe.

Prominent LQGs

On January 11, 2013, the discovery of the Huge-LQG was announced by the University of Central Lancashire, as the largest known structure in the universe by that time. It comprises 74 quasars and has a minimum diameter of 1.4 billion light-years, but over 4 billion light-years at its widest point. According to researcher and author, Roger Clowes, the existence of structures with the size of LQGs was believed theoretically impossible. Cosmological structures had been believed to have a size limit of approximately 1.2 billion light-years.

List of LQGs

LQGDateMean DistanceDimension# of quasarsNotes
Webster LQG
1982z=0.37100 Mpc5First LQG discovered. At the time of its discovery, it was the largest structure known.
Crampton–Cowley–Hartwick LQG
1987z=1.1160 Mpc28Second LQG discovered
Clowes–Campusano LQG
1991z=1.28
34Third LQG discovered
U1.901995z=1.9120 Mpc/h10Discovered by Graham, Clowes, Campusano.
7Sf Group
1995z=0.1960 Mpc/h7Discovered by Graham, Clowes, Campusano; this is a grouping of 7 Seyfert galaxies.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 11996z=0.6R=96 Mpc/h12Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 21996z=0.6R=111 Mpc/h12Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 31996z=1.3R=123 Mpc/h14Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 41996z=1.9R=104 Mpc/h14Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 51996z=1.7R=146 Mpc/h13Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 61996z=1.5R=94 Mpc/h10Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 71996z=1.9R=92 Mpc/h10Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 81996z=2.1R=104 Mpc/h12Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 91996z=1.9R=66 Mpc/h18Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 111996z=0.7R=157 Mpc/h11Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Komberg–Kravtsov–Lukash LQG 121996z=1.2R=155 Mpc/h14Discovered by Komberg, Kravtsov, Lukash.
Newman LQG
1998z=1.54150 Mpc/h21Discovered by P.R. Newman et al. This structure is parallel to the CCLQG, with its discovery, suggesting that the cellular structure of sheets and voids already existed in this era, as found in later void bubbles and walls of galaxies.,
Tesch–Engels LQG2000z=0.27140 Mpc/h7The first X-ray selected LQG.
U1.112011z=1.11
  • 38
    Huge-LQG
    2013z=1.27
  • 73The largest structure known in the observable universe until it was eclipsed by the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall found one year later.