A journey through the incredible events that shaped our universe, from the Big Bang to the present day.
The universe began as a singularity—a point of infinite density and temperature. The Big Bang marked the rapid expansion of space-time. During the first seconds, the four fundamental forces—gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces—emerged, setting the stage for everything we know today.
During the recombination era, electrons combined with protons and nuclei to form neutral atoms, primarily hydrogen and helium. The universe cooled, allowing light to travel freely, creating the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), a snapshot of the early universe.
With no stars or galaxies, the universe entered a period of darkness filled with neutral hydrogen and dark matter. Over time, gravitational forces created denser regions, laying the foundation for the first stars.
The first stars, known as Population III stars, formed. These massive stars lived short but powerful lives, synthesizing heavier elements in their cores. Over time, stars grouped into galaxies, creating the vast cosmic structures we see today.
Explore the vast cosmos through this interactive map of the universe.
Galaxies evolved, with some forming supermassive black holes at their centers. These black holes emitted enormous amounts of energy as quasars. Over billions of years, galaxies formed clusters and superclusters, shaping the universe's large-scale structure.
A cloud of gas and dust collapsed to form our Sun. Around it, a protoplanetary disk emerged, eventually giving birth to the planets, including Earth.
Microbial life first appeared on Earth around 3.5 billion years ago. Through billions of years of evolution, life diversified into complex organisms, culminating in humans approximately 300,000 years ago.
The universe continues to expand, driven by the mysterious force of dark energy. The observable universe now contains billions of galaxies, each with countless stars and planets.
