Based on current evidence, a supercluster is most likely to have formed in regions of space where _________.

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Study for the University of Central Florida AST2002 Astronomy Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your final!

A supercluster is a large grouping of galaxies that is significantly larger than a galaxy cluster, comprising many clusters and groups of galaxies. Current evidence suggests that superclusters are likely to have formed in regions of space where the density of dark matter was slightly higher than average.

This higher density of dark matter creates gravitational wells that attract normal matter, including gas and galaxies, leading to the formation of structures like superclusters over time. The gravitational influence of dark matter is critical in the early universe, as it played a vital role in the clumping of matter, which eventually led to the large-scale structure we observe today in the universe.

In contrast, regions with lower density of galaxies are less likely to evolve into superclusters due to the lack of material needed to form such massive structures. Star formation peaking is a consequence rather than a cause, since star formation activity tends to happen after galaxies have already formed and clustered. The temperature of the cosmic microwave background is a relic from the early universe, but it does not have a direct role in the formation of superclusters, which are governed more by gravitational dynamics and the distribution of dark matter.