Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

The cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) is a key piece of evidence supporting the Big Bang theory. It is a faint glow of light that fills the universe, and it is the oldest light in the universe. The CMB is a remnant of the hot, dense plasma that filled the early universe, and it has cooled to a temperature of about 2.7 Kelvin (-270.45 degrees Celsius).

Discovery of the CMB

The CMB was first discovered in 1965 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, who were conducting radio astronomy experiments. At first, they thought the CMB signal was due to interference, but after ruling out all other possible sources, they realized that it was coming from all directions in the sky, indicating that it was a pervasive signal throughout the universe.

Properties of the CMB

The CMB is nearly uniform in all directions, with only tiny variations (or anisotropies) at the level of one part in 100,000. These tiny variations provide crucial information about the early universe, including the distribution of matter and the seeds of cosmic structure formation.

Study Guide

1. What is cosmic microwave background radiation?
2. How did the discovery of the CMB support the Big Bang theory?
3. Who were the scientists credited with the discovery of the CMB?
4. What are the properties of the CMB?
5. What crucial information do the tiny variations in the CMB provide about the early universe?

Now that you have a basic understanding of cosmic microwave background radiation, you can further explore this topic through additional readings and research. Good luck!

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