The universe, in all its vastness, is a mysterious and awe-inspiring expanse that has captivated humanity for centuries. Our understanding of the cosmos has evolved significantly, from ancient mythologies to modern scientific theories. At the heart of this understanding lies the concept of cosmic expansion, a phenomenon that has reshaped our view of the universe and its origins.
The story of the universe begins with the Big Bang, approximately 13.8 billion years ago. This singular event marked the beginning of time, space, and matter. Before the Big Bang, there was no space or time as we understand them, and all the matter in the universe was concentrated in an infinitesimally small point. The Big Bang was not an explosion in space but rather an expansion of space itself, setting into motion the vast universe we see today.
As the universe expanded, it cooled, and matter began to form into the stars, galaxies, and other cosmic structures. Initially, this expansion occurred at a rapid rate, but over time, it slowed down due to gravitational forces pulling matter together. For much of the universe's history, this expansion followed a predictable pattern. However, about 5 billion years ago, something extraordinary happened. The expansion of the universe began to accelerate, a discovery that fundamentally changed our understanding of cosmic evolution.
