Laniakea-scale region
Laniakea is a vast region of interconnected galaxy clusters defined by shared gravitational flows.
How big is it?
159.4 Mpc across
Diameter · rounded reference
A little perspective
Laniakea-scale region vs Distance to the Virgo Cluster: length comparison
The diameter of a Laniakea-scale region is about 9.63 times the distance to the Virgo Cluster.
Laniakea is a vast region of interconnected galaxy clusters defined by shared gravitational flows.
This is the distance from the Milky Way to the Virgo Cluster, a nearby large cluster of galaxies.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. A ruler represents the selected distance or a measurement not visible in this view.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Laniakea-scale region
Diameter: 159.4 Mpc; rounded reference.
An illustrative 520 million light-year span for a large-scale galaxy-flow region; boundaries depend on the model.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Distance to the Virgo Cluster
Distance: 16.56 Mpc; rounded reference.
A rounded 54 million light-year distance anchor for the nearby galaxy cluster.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked distance is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 159.4 Mpc
We compare the diameter of a Laniakea-scale region. This is a rounded comparison value; check the notes for its source and scope.
An illustrative 520 million light-year span for a large-scale galaxy-flow region; boundaries depend on the model.
The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 159.4 Mpc | Not recorded | rounded reference |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlanets, moons and spaceDistance to the Virgo Cluster16.56 MpcDistanceThis is the distance from the Milky Way to the Virgo Cluster, a nearby large cluster of galaxies.
Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceObservable universe28.21 GpcDiameterThe observable universe is the region from which light or other signals have had time to reach us since the early universe.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
SpaceEarth–Sun distance1 AUThe Earth–Sun distance, or astronomical unit, is the standard measure of separation between Earth and the Sun used in astronomy.
SpaceMilky Way30.66 kpcThe Milky Way is a spiral galaxy containing hundreds of billions of stars, including our Solar System.SpaceObservable universe28.21 GpcThe observable universe is the region from which light or other signals have had time to reach us since the early universe.SpaceDistance to the Virgo Cluster16.56 MpcThis is the distance from the Milky Way to the Virgo Cluster, a nearby large cluster of galaxies.
SpaceLocal Group3.066 MpcThe Local Group is a collection of galaxies that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and several smaller galaxies.SpaceDistance to Andromeda766.5 kpcThis is the distance between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbour.SpaceAndromeda galaxy79.72 kpcThe Andromeda galaxy, also called M31, is the nearest large spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.SpaceDistance to the galactic centre7.972 kpcThis is the distance from the Solar System to the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.