Title
Microwave light emitted 380,000 years after the Big Bang
Caption
Analyses of a new high-resolution map of microwave light emitted only 380,000 years after the Big Bang appear to define our universe more precisely than ever before. The eagerly awaited results announced last year from the orbiting Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe resolve several long-standing disagreements in cosmology rooted in less precise data. Specifically, present analyses of above WMAP all-sky image indicate that the universe is 13.7 billion years old (accurate to 1 percept), composed of 73 percept dark energy, 23 percept cold dark matter, and only 4 percept atoms, is currently expanding at the rate of 71 km/sec/Mpc (accurate to 5 percept), underwent episodes of rapid expansion called inflation, and will expand forever. Astronomers will likely research the foundations and implications of these results for years to come.
Date
20th century
Credit line
Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library
Reference
ARP15A02_095
License type
Rights managed
Available size
50,8Mb (2,9Mb) / 19,9in x 9,9in / 5960 x 2980 (300dpi)