Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) is the light from half a million years after the Big Bang, stretched out into microwaves over its journey to us. When we view other planets, stars, or other points of interest in the Universe, what we are really seeing is the light that was either given off or reflected off of that body. We can never see another body in real time because the distances are too great for the light to reach us near-instantaneously, as it does when we watch a movie here on Earth. Much in the same way that the light from the Sun reaches us about 8 minutes after it leaves the Sun, the light from the Big Bang reaches us billions of years later. That light from so long ago tells us a lot about its origin and where it has been.
To unravel the information in this waves, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) was launched. This probe provided a clear view of the CMBR, along with many other useful measurements.
To unravel the information in this waves, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) was launched. This probe provided a clear view of the CMBR, along with many other useful measurements.
