Computer simulations carried out by astronomers from the University of Groningen in collaboration with researchers from Germany, France and Sweden show that most of the (dark) matter beyond the Local Group of galaxies (which includes the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy) must be organized in an extended plane. Above and below this plane are large voids. The observed motions of nearby galaxies and the joint masses of the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy can only be properly explained with this "flat" mass distribution. The research, led by Ph.D. graduate Ewoud Wempe and Professor Amina Helmi, is published in Nature Astronomy.

The algorithm started from regions in the early universe, with a mass distribution based on observations of the cosmic microwave background. With a powerful computer, the model then evolved to reproduce the present-day characteristics of the Local Group, with the mass, position and velocity of the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, and the positions and velocities of 31 galaxies just outside the Local Group. This resulted in the creation of simulations that may be considered “virtual twins” of our cosmic environment.

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