The Flock of Ostriches Analogy: A Heuristic Interpretation of the Cosmic Web
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We propose a novel analogy for the large-scale structure of the universe: a “flock of ostriches.” In this picture, each ostrich represents a composite structure consisting of a massive cluster (“body”), an elongated filament (“neck”), and a smaller group or node (“head”). The cosmic web is then interpreted as a flock of such ostriches interconnected across cosmic voids. This analogy provides an intuitive framework for describing the anisotropic morphology of galaxy distributions, filamentary alignments, and the hierarchical nesting of superclusters. The ostrich analogy is testable using galaxy redshift surveys, weak gravitational lensing maps, and peculiar velocity data, and may offer educational and heuristic value in explaining cosmic structure formation to both specialists and the public.
Author: Hasan Khan Batakzai, Hasan (Independent Researcher)
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7082627973
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