Distorted sound of the early universe suggests we are living in a giant void

Baryon acoustic oscillations represent the sound of the Big Bang. Gabriela Secara, Perimeter Institute, CC BY-SA

Looking up at the night sky, it may seem our cosmic neighbourhood is packed full of planets, stars and galaxies. But scientists have long suggested there may be far fewer galaxies in our cosmic surroundings than expected.

In fact, it appears we live in a giant cosmic void with roughly 20% lower than the average density of matter.