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A ‘Great Wave’ Is Rippling Through The Milky Way, Scientists Say
The Great Wave shifts stars vertically by up to 650 light-years across 30,000 to 65,000 light-years of the Milky Way's outer disk, likely caused by galactic interactions.
- On July 14, 2025, researchers reported that ESA's Gaia data revealed the Great Wave, a vast ripple moving outward across the Milky Way's disk.
- Analysis of Gaia's long-term mapping shows a past encounter with a dwarf galaxy likely caused the Milky Way's disk disturbance, but scientists say the origin remains uncertain and needs more study.
- By tracking 17,000 young giant stars and 3,400 classical Cepheids, researchers found the wave spans 30,000 to 65,000 light-years and shifts stars up to 650 light-years vertically.
- ESA says the upcoming Gaia fourth data release will improve star positions and motions, helping research teams analyzing Gaia data refine maps and deepen understanding of the galaxy's complex dynamics.
- Compared with the Radcliffe Wave, Poggio noted `However, the Radcliffe Wave is a much smaller filament, and located in a different portion of the galaxy's disc compared to the wave studied in our work`, and scientists say their relationship remains unproven.
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Thanks to the Gaia satellite, the study is led by Inaf (ANSA)
·Italy
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Center
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources are Center
72% Center
14%
C 72%
14%
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