Understanding the Universe: 400,000 Years After the Big Bang

Explore what happened 400,000 years after the Big Bang, including the formation of hydrogen and the Cosmic Microwave Background.

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400,000 years after the Big Bang, the universe had cooled enough for protons and electrons to combine, forming neutral hydrogen atoms. This period is known as recombination. The photons released during this time are still observable today as the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, providing crucial information about the early universe.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is recombination in astronomy? Recombination refers to the period when protons and electrons combined to form neutral hydrogen atoms, allowing photons to travel freely.
  2. What is the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation? The Cosmic Microwave Background is the thermal radiation filling the universe, a remnant of the Big Bang, providing insights into the universe's early conditions.
  3. How does the Big Bang relate to the universe's expansion? The Big Bang marks the beginning of the universe and initiates its expansion, which continues today.
  4. What evidence do we have for the Big Bang theory? Evidence includes the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation and the observed redshift of galaxies, indicating the universe's ongoing expansion.

Watch More

If you enjoyed this exploration of the universe's early moments, check out our videos on the history of cosmology and the formation of stars for more insights into the vast cosmos.

  1. Understanding Recombination: The Formation of Hydrogen Atoms 380,000 Years After the Big Bang Discover what occurred 380,000 years post-Big Bang and learn about hydrogen atoms and Cosmic Microwave Background radiation.
  2. What Was the Size of the Universe at 380,000 Years Old? Discover how small the universe was at 380,000 years old during the recombination era.
  3. What Occurred 200 Million Years After the Big Bang? Insights into Cosmic Dawn Explore the pivotal Cosmic Dawn that followed the Big Bang, leading to the birth of stars and galaxies in our universe.