Final answer:
The references provided appear to mistakenly mention Gottesman and Shields, but likely refer to Geller and Huchra, who conducted important research revealing that galaxies form structures with large voids in between, notably the 'Great Wall'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to have a typo and may be referring to the work of Geller and Huchra rather than Gottesman and Shields. Based on the references provided, Margaret J. Geller and John P. Huchra were involved in groundbreaking work within the field of astronomy.
In the early 1980s, Geller and Huchra conducted a survey that led to the creation of the "Great Wall" map, revealing that galaxies are not randomly distributed throughout the universe; rather they form structures, with large voids in between. Their work challenged the previously accepted view of a uniform distribution of galaxies and indicated that the large-scale structure of the universe is more intricate than once thought.
This discovery was significant because it contributed to the understanding of how galaxies are organized on a cosmic scale, and it continues to influence research in astrophysics and cosmology today. Additionally, it demonstrated that large-scale structures like the Great Wall could inform theories about the gravity-driven growth of structures in the universe.
Subsequent research inspired by Geller and Huchra's findings expanded knowledge on the cosmic web, dark matter, and the motion of galaxies. They showed that galaxies cluster together in groups, some of which are known as galaxy clusters. Their conclusions have had a profound impact on cosmic understanding, proposing that the universe has a foam-like structure, where high-density walls of galaxies surround low-density voids.