Short Wave We're All Swimming In Big Bang Juice
Aug 6, 2024
Dive into the complexity of the Big Bang theory as experts reveal it’s more of an era than a single moment. Discover the cosmic microwave background, a relic of our universe's infancy, which offers clues about its origins. Hear how photons played a pivotal role in cooling the universe and forming neutral atoms. Engage with the challenges of studying dark matter and the cutting-edge technology helping to decode cosmic mysteries. It’s a journey through time and space, filled with unexpected findings and discoveries!
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Big Bang Era
- The Big Bang is not a single moment, but an era.
- Scientists now refer to it as the early universe, roughly the first few hundred thousand years.
Accidental Discovery
- Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered the cosmic microwave background (CMB) by accident.
- Initially, they thought the noise was from bird droppings in their antenna.
Swimming in Big Bang Light
- The CMB is light from about 400,000 years after the Big Bang's start.
- We are 'swimming' in this light, which is like residual heat, similar to a warm subway seat.