Astronomy

Study of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe.

Advanced Topics

The Origin and Fate of the Universe

Where Did Everything Come From?

The universe began with the Big Bang, a massive expansion from a tiny, hot, dense point about 13.8 billion years ago. Since then, space itself has been stretching, carrying galaxies away from each other.

What Will Happen Next?

Scientists think the universe will keep expanding for billions of years, but there are still mysteries. Will it expand forever, slow down, or eventually collapse back? This is still being studied!

Clues from Space

Evidence like the cosmic microwave background (a faint glow left over from the Big Bang) and the movement of galaxies helps scientists understand the past and predict the future of our universe.

Examples

  • The discovery of the cosmic microwave background supports the Big Bang theory.

  • Distant galaxies are moving away from us, showing that the universe is expanding.

In a Nutshell

The universe started with the Big Bang and is still expanding, but its ultimate fate is unknown.

Key Terms

Big Bang
The event that marked the beginning of the universe.
Cosmic Microwave Background
Faint radiation left over from the Big Bang.