How stars are packed in the universe: a comparison with sphere packing

C. C. Wang; K. J. Dong; R. P. Zou; A. B. Yu

doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2020.12.022

How stars are packed in the universe: a comparison with sphere packing

C. C. Wang, K. J. Dong, R. P. Zou, A. B. Yu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

It has been a longstanding question how stars are packed or distributed in the universe. Here we show that the spatial distribution of stars follows some geometric rules although there may be local inhomogeneities. The topological and metric properties of their Voronoi tessellations exhibit a lognormal distribution. Moreover, these distributions can be connected with those established for the packing of spheres, corresponding to the loosest packing state. The findings provide a new angle to understand the packing structure of stars in the universe.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	224-228
Number of pages	5
Journal	Powder Technology
Volume	381
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2020.12.022
Publication status	Published - Mar 2021

Keywords

Lognormal distribution
Particles
Sphere packing
Stars
Voronoi tessellation

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10.1016/j.powtec.2020.12.022

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AU - Dong, K. J.

AU - Zou, R. P.

AU - Yu, A. B.

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AB - It has been a longstanding question how stars are packed or distributed in the universe. Here we show that the spatial distribution of stars follows some geometric rules although there may be local inhomogeneities. The topological and metric properties of their Voronoi tessellations exhibit a lognormal distribution. Moreover, these distributions can be connected with those established for the packing of spheres, corresponding to the loosest packing state. The findings provide a new angle to understand the packing structure of stars in the universe.

KW - Lognormal distribution

KW - Particles

KW - Sphere packing

KW - Stars

KW - Voronoi tessellation

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EP - 228

JO - Powder Technology

JF - Powder Technology

SN - 0032-5910

ER -

How stars are packed in the universe: a comparison with sphere packing

Abstract

Keywords

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