Cosmology is the scientific study of the universe as a whole, including its origin, evolution, and structure. It is a branch of astronomy that seeks to understand the universe's large-scale structure and the forces that govern it.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is the leading cosmological model that describes the universe's origin and evolution. According to this theory, the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from a very hot, dense state.
Expansion of the Universe: The universe is expanding, and the expansion is accelerating. This expansion is driven by a mysterious force called dark energy.
Galaxies: Galaxies are large collections of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The Milky Way is our home galaxy, and it contains about 100 billion stars.
Dark Matter: Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not emit or absorb light, making it invisible to telescopes. It is believed to make up about 27% of the universe's total mass.
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the leftover radiation from the Big Bang. It is the oldest light in the universe and provides valuable information about the early universe.
Discovery: The CMB was discovered in 1965 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson.
Evidence: The CMB is evidence of the Big Bang Theory and the early universe's hot, dense state.
Further Reading
For more information on cosmology, you can explore the following resources: