Orientation of the galaxy groups in the Local Supercluster

TL;DR

This study reveals that galaxy groups in the Local Supercluster exhibit preferred orientations aligned with neighboring groups and the supercluster center, supporting filamentary formation models.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of preferred orientations of galaxy groups in the Local Supercluster and their alignment with large-scale structures, supported by observational data.

Findings

Galaxy groups show preferred orientations correlated with neighbors.

The line between the two brightest galaxies aligns with the supercluster center.

Results agree with numerical simulation predictions.

Abstract

The paper discusses the problem of the orientation of galaxies in groups in the Local Supercluster (LSC). The existence of the preferred orientation of galaxy group is shown. We found that the orientation of galaxy groups in the Local Supercluster in the scale till about 20 Mpc is strongly correlated with the distribution of neighbouring groups. The line joining the two brightest galaxies is in alignment with both the group major axes and the direction toward the centre of the LSC, i.e. Virgo cluster. These correlations suggest that two brightest galaxies were formed in filaments of matter directed towards the protosupercluster centre. Afterwards, the hierarchical clustering leads to aggregation of galaxies around these two galaxies. Our results are in agreement with the predictions of numerical simulations.