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cosmic microwave background radiation

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB) is the faint glow that fills the universe, a remnant of the Big Bang approximately 13.8 billion years ago. When the universe cooled, protons and electrons combined to form hydrogen atoms, allowing light to travel freely. This light has since stretched into microwaves due to the expansion of the universe. CMB is crucial for understanding the universe's early conditions and evolution. Its uniformity suggests a hot, dense origin, while tiny variations provide insights into the formation of galaxies. Observing CMB helps scientists explore fundamental questions about the cosmos.

Additional Insights

  • Image for cosmic microwave background radiation

    Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB) is the faint afterglow of the Big Bang, filling the universe with microwave radiation. It was released about 380,000 years after the Big Bang when the universe cooled enough for atoms to form, allowing photons to travel freely. This radiation is uniform and can be detected in every direction in space, providing crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory. Scientists study the CMB to understand the universe's origin, composition, and evolution, revealing insights into its age, structure, and the processes that led to the cosmic conditions we observe today.