The Big Bang Theory

Not this one…

The Theory• The Big Bang describes how:– a massive explosion created

the universe –the cooling and expansion of

the universe could have made stars & galaxies

What Happened…• The universe began in an instant billions of

years ago (~13.7) during an enormous explosion• Over time the universe cooled atoms formed• Gravity pulled atoms together into gas clouds

* When our solar system formed the universe was smaller (2/3 to be exact)

Evidence: Red Shift• Discovered by Edwin Hubble (1929)• The light from other galaxies is becoming

more red in color (the waves are moving slower)

• Supports the idea that the universe is expanding causes galaxies to spread apart

• Hubble’s Law- the speed at which a galaxy moves away from Earth is proportional to its distance from Earth

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Evidence: Microwave Background Radiation

• Discovered by American physicists Penzias & Wilson (1965) in New Jersey

• Is a faint and distant glow of energy that was produced in the big bang and continues to move through the universe

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