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200,000 Elliptical Galaxies Point the Same Way

Posted by kdawson on from the axis-of-opportunity dept.

KentuckyFC sends us to arXiv, as is his wont, for a paper (abstract; PDF preprint) making the claim that 200,000 elliptical galaxies are aligned in the same direction; the signal for this alignment stands out at 13 standard deviations. This axis is the same as the controversial alignment found in the cosmic microwave background by the WMAP spacecraft.

4 of 448 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Assumption busting... by HaeMaker · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Here's another revelation...

    There is a magnetic force so powerful it creates a magnetic field the size of the universe and galaxies align to it.

  2. Re: Centre of the universe by Black+Parrot · · Score: 0, Redundant

    They all point outwards from the centre of the universe. Or maybe God farted and they're just blowing in the wind.
    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  3. Re:Why? by jythie · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Explaining 'beyond the scope of this paper' _IS_ saying they do not know why.

    And while yes the paper would have been more interesting if the authors could figure out why, but in reality it is far more valuable published without a why then holding onto the data till they have a plausible explanation.

  4. Re:Why? by naughton · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The funniest thing I've heard today. Heh.