2.Go to the Atlas of the Universe. Step through the map pages to get a feel for the structure of the Universe. Then answer the following questions:
(a) Where is the Sun located relative to the center of the Milky Way?
(b) Describe the galaxies that are nearest the Milky Way (e.g., are they as big as the Milky Way?).
(c) What is meant by the name "Local Group"?
(d) About how many and what kinds of galaxies inhabit the Local Group?
(e) What is the Virgo (or Local) Supercluster? What is the difference
between the Virgo Supercluster and the Virgo Cluster?
(f) What does the distribution of galaxies look like within 1 billion light years? What is a void?
(g) Find the Pisces-Perseus (a.k.a. Perseus-Pisces) Supercluster and notice the locations of voids in between us and this supercluster and beyond the supercluster. This page shows a clearer view. Galaxies in this direction will be the targets of our Arecibo observations. Why is the placement of the void in front of the supercluster convenient in mapping the extent and content of the supercluster? (Hint: this assumes that we can
measure galaxies along this direction to determine their velocities, and therefore their distances, and their masses.)
3. More recent measurements place the Milky Way in a much larger structure, the Laniakea Supercluster. Watch this video to learn about this structure. How was the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster used to help define this structure?