What is the order of magnitude for the Virgo Cluster's total estimated mass?
Answer
$1.2 \times 10^{15}$ solar masses
The total estimated mass attributed to the Virgo Cluster is extraordinarily large, calculated to be on the order of $1.2 \times 10^{15}$ solar masses. This immense mass is the fundamental determinant of the cluster's powerful gravitational influence across the local cosmos. This gravitational footprint is so significant that it dictates the cluster's role as the nucleus around which the much larger Virgo Supercluster is built. Furthermore, this total mass governs the gravitational interactions seen across greater distances, influencing the motions that define the larger Laniakea Supercluster complex.
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