What Occurred 500,000 Years After the Big Bang?

Discover the key events that shaped our universe 500,000 years after the Big Bang.

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500,000 years after the Big Bang, the universe had cooled enough for protons and electrons to combine and form hydrogen atoms. This era is known as recombination, leading to the release of photons, which we now observe as the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. This event allowed the universe to become transparent to light, marking a crucial step in cosmic evolution.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the significance of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation? The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation is crucial as it provides evidence of the early universe, helping scientists understand its evolution.
  2. How did hydrogen atoms form after the Big Bang? Hydrogen atoms formed when protons and electrons combined during the recombination phase as the universe cooled.
  3. What does recombination mean in cosmology? Recombination refers to the period when protons and electrons combined to form hydrogen atoms, allowing light to travel freely in the universe.
  4. When did the Big Bang occur? The Big Bang occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago and marks the beginning of the universe as we know it.