• Astronomers have discovered gigantic structures like the Big Ring, Giant Arc, and the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall that exceed theoretical size limits, challenging the Cosmological Principle.
• These discoveries prompt reconsideration of current cosmological models and suggest that the universe may possess more interconnected features than previously understood.
• The use of gamma-ray bursts as cosmic markers has enabled scientists to map these structures, opening new avenues for research into large-scale cosmic phenomena.

Recent astronomical observations have revealed the existence of ultra-large structures in the universe that defy our current understanding of cosmology. These structures, including the Big Ring, Giant Arc, and Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall, are significantly larger than the theoretical limits predicted by the standard model. Their discovery challenges the Cosmological Principle, which assumes a homogeneous and isotropic universe on a large scale, and prompts scientists to re-evaluate the fundamental aspects of cosmic evolution and the distribution of matter in space.

• What: Discovery of ultra-large structures in the universe, including the Big Ring, Giant Arc, and Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall.
• Who: Dr. Alexia Lopez, Sir Roger Penrose, István Horváth, Jon Hakkila, and Zsolt Bagoly, along with various astronomical teams.
• When: The Big Ring was presented in January 2024. The Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall was discovered more than a decade ago, with updated findings released in April 2025. Lopez discovered the Giant Arc in 2021.
• Where: The structures are located in deep space, with the Giant Arc and Big Ring being in the same part of the sky. The Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall spans a vast distance across the observable universe.

The discovery of these ultra-large structures poses significant challenges to the standard cosmological model. The Cosmological Principle, a cornerstone of this model, assumes that the universe is homogeneous and isotropic on a large scale. However, the existence of structures like the Big Ring, Giant Arc, and Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall, which exceed the theoretical size limit of 1.2 billion light-years, contradicts this assumption. These findings suggest that the universe may be more interconnected and inhomogeneous than previously thought, prompting scientists to reconsider fundamental aspects of cosmic evolution and the distribution of matter in space. Alternative models, such as Roger Penrose's conformal cyclic cosmology, may offer potential explanations for these structures, but further research is needed to fully understand their nature and implications.

Neither of these two ultra-large structures is easy to explain in our current understanding of the universe. And their ultra-large sizes, distinctive shapes, and cosmological proximity must surely be telling us something important – but what exactly?

Alexia Lopez has discovered a remarkable effect which appears to substantiate the conformal cyclic cosmological model that I originally suggested in the early years of the 21st Century. Her observations provide what appears to be a very strong challenge to conventional cosmology which had not been previously anticipated.

From current cosmological theories we didn't think structures on this scale were possible. We could expect maybe one exceedingly large structure in all our observable Universe. Yet, the Big Ring and the Giant Arc are two huge structures and are even cosmological neighbors, which is extraordinarily fascinating.

The discovery of the Big Ring, Giant Arc, and the potentially larger Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall marks a significant moment in cosmology. These structures challenge our fundamental understanding of the universe and suggest that the cosmos may be more complex and interconnected than previously imagined. Further research and advancements in technology are essential to unraveling the mysteries of these ultra-large structures and refining our cosmological models.