Big Bang Theory

Big Bang theory is the leading explanation for how our universe began. According to the theory, the entire universe began as a tiny singularity that went through an explosive expansion 13.8 billion years ago, gradually expanding into the cosmos we see today. Today, astronomers can detect an "echo" from the Big Bang in the cosmic microwave background, a phenomenon that can be detected with radio telescopes. Big Bang Theory is also the name of a popular CBS sitcom about scientists, where several real-life scientists and astronauts have appeared.

Related Topics: Black Holes, Dark Matter, Gravitational Waves, The Theory of Relativity in Space 

Latest Updates

The FRIB's 46 cryomodules, which keep the ions cool while they are accelerated to blistering speeds.

World's most powerful heavy-ion collider to go online this week

By Ben Turner published

The collider cost $730 million and is many decades in the making

A view of the tunnel housing part of the upgraded Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray free-electron laser.

A particle accelerator is now colder than space to produce 1 million X-ray pulses a second

By Stefanie Waldek published

At that temperature, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray free-electron laser will be able to accelerate electrons close to the speed of light.

Was gravity stronger in the early universe?

Stronger gravity in the early universe may solve a cosmological conundrum

By Paul Sutter published

The inflationary epoch that caused our universe to rapidly expand in its earliest moments may be connected to the modern era of dark energy.

A data visualization of particle collisions at the LHC at CERN.

Large Hadron Collider experiment investigates neutrino's minuscule mass

By Chelsea Gohd published

Scientists are investigating the elusive neutrino with a new experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

An illustration of hypothetically interacting dark matter particles. As we anticipate Run 3 with the LHC at Cern in 2022, scientists look forward to exploring the universe's biggest mysteries, including dark matter.

10 cosmic mysteries the Large Hadron Collider could unravel

By Chelsea Gohd published

What mysteries of the universe could the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator unlock?

An artist's impression of star formation in the early universe, a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.

The universe could stop expanding 'remarkably soon', study suggests

By Brandon Specktor published

The universe may stop expanding in just 100 million years if dark energy decays over time, a new study suggests.

The Large Hadron Collider restarted after a three-year shutdown on April 22, 2022.

Large Hadron Collider hits world record proton acceleration

By Chelsea Gohd published

The newly-upgraded Large Hadron Collider just broke a world record with its proton beams.

The Large Hadron Collider restarted after a three-year shutdown on April 22, 2022.

Large Hadron Collider restarts to push physics to the edge

By Tariq Malik published

Scientists restarted the Large Hadron Collider on April 22 to hunt for dark matter and fringe physics.

Pressure waves

Upcoming satellite mission may 'see' how early universe cooled

By Ailsa Harvey published

As the early universe cooled shortly after the Big Bang, bubbles formed in its hot plasma, triggering gravitational waves that could be detectable even today, a new study suggests.

Chaos theory is demonstrated by a scribble of light trails formed from a light places at the end of a double pendulum.

Chaos theory explained: A deep dive into an unpredictable universe

By Paul Sutter published

Reference Chaos theory explains the behavior of dynamic systems like weather, which are extremely sensitive to initial conditions. They cannot be truly predicted.

Actor Simon Helberg, portraying Howard Wolowitz on CBS's "The Big Bang Theory," is seen "floating" on the space station.

How did CBS' Big Bang Theory send Howard Wolowitz to space?

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Reference CBS’ Big Bang Theory set designers constructed a replica of a Russian spacecraft and the International Space Station for Howard Wolowitz's trip to space.

The eight toroid magnets of the ATLAS detector at CERN.

CERN pauses future research collaboration with Russia at Ukrainian scientists' request

By Tereza Pultarova published

CERN will not enter new cooperations with Russian scientific institutions following a request of Ukraine's scientists to halt partnerships with Russian science institutions.

Are there alternative theories that could explain the origin of the universe?

Alternatives to the Big Bang Theory (infographic)

By Karl Tate published

Infographic Most astronomers believe the universe began 13.8 billion years ago in a sudden explosion called the Big Bang. Other theorists have invented alternatives and extensions to this idea.

Hawking's blackboard is filled with doodles, in-jokes and half-finished equations scrawled by friends and fellow physicists in 1980.

Mysteries of Stephen Hawking's doodle-filled blackboard may finally be solved

By Brandon Specktor published

A new museum exhibit hopes to uncover the secrets behind the doodles, in-jokes and coded messages on a blackboard that Stephen Hawking kept for more than 35 years.

An artist's interpretation of the Big Bang.

What happened before the Big Bang?

By Paul Sutter published

The Big Bounce theory was once thought impossible. But recent research is keeping it alive.

An artist's concept of the Big Bang.

The Big Bang: What really happened at our universe's birth?

By Mike Wall published

Our universe was born 13.7 billion years ago in a massive expansion that blew space up like a giant balloon.

Galaxies near the beginning of the history of the universe

The history of the universe: Big Bang to now in 10 easy steps

By Denise Chow, Scott Dutfield published

Reference Learn about the Big Bang theory and the evolution of the universe in ten steps.

This all-sky image of the cosmic microwave background, created from data collected by the European Space Agency's Planck satellite's first all-sky survey, shows echoes of the Big Bang left over from the dawn of the universe.

What is the cosmic microwave background?

By Elizabeth Howell, Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is primeval radiation emitted shortly after the Big Bang. Regarded as an 'echo' of the Big Bang, CMB fills the universe.

Image of the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field, which captures galaxies beyond counting.

Do we live in a simulation? The problem with this mind-bending hypothesis.

By Paul Sutter published

Does the simulation hypothesis offer a compelling argument, or is it just interesting food for thought? Let's find out.

Expanding universe

Our expanding universe: Age, history & other facts

By Charles Q. Choi, Ailsa Harvey published

Reference The universe was born with the Big Bang as an unimaginably hot, dense point. SPACE.com offers an overview of the universe and its history, age and structure.