The Laniakea Supercluster

You already know that gravity binds stars together into galaxies.

Galaxies do not drift through space at random either. Our galaxy and its neighbours are connected as part of the Laniakea Supercluster.

What Is a Supercluster?

Imagine having ten toy trucks or doll’s houses at home. That is quite a collection—a cluster.

Now imagine having a thousand (1,000) of them. They would not fit inside the entire house. That would be a supercluster.

Laniakea contains around one hundred thousand galaxies (100,000). Their gravity draws them together and they move as though connected by invisible threads.

What Does the Name Mean?

Scientists chose the name “Laniakea” from the Hawaiian language. It means “immense heaven”—a beautiful name, isn’t it?

Laniakea is not the Universe’s only supercluster. Many superclusters form a gigantic cosmic web of galaxies.

Your Cosmic Address

If you ever want to write to friends from another world, here is your complete cosmic address:

Universe → Laniakea Supercluster → Milky Way Galaxy → Solar System → Planet Earth → then your country, city, street and home.