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cosmic microwave background
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Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe
Know about the Millennium Simulation at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics and learn how to simulate the universe on a personal computer
Understand how the polarization of the light from cosmic background radiation influenced the early development of the universe
cosmic microwave background Planck Three views of the infrared universe by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite.In the view of the full sky (top), radiation represented by the S-shaped blue area is emitted by dust in the solar system. When that light is removed (middle), light from dust in the Milky Way (the band at the centre) and Magellanic Clouds (lower right) remains. A uniform field of cosmic infrared background radiation is revealed when the galactic light is removed (bottom); the dark line at the centre is an artifact of the filtering process.
For Students
cosmic background radiation summary
Quizzes
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
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Spiral Galaxy type Sa-Sb or Sa/Sb in the constellation Virgo. The majestic Sombrero Galaxy Messier 104 (M104) or NGC 4594. The team took six pictures of the galaxy, stitched them together to create the final composite image. Photo from May-June 2003
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Galaxy clusters like Abell 2744 can act as a natural cosmic lens, magnifying light from more distant, background objects through gravity. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope may be able to detect light from the first stars in the universe if they are gravitationally lensed by such clusters. (astronomy, space exploration, galaxies)
How Fast Is the Universe Expanding?
Remarkable new details of Pluto's largest moon Charon are revealed in this image from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI), taken late on July 13, 2015 from a distance of 289,000 miles
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Solar system illustration. (Sun; planets)
A Model of the Cosmos
Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) new star formation. Satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This galaxy is scattered with glowing nebulae, the most noticeable sign that new stars are being born.
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cosmic microwave background: Facts & Related Content

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Facts

Also Known As cosmic background radiation • three-degree blackbody radiation • CMB

Photos and Videos

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe
cosmic microwave background
Planck
Three views of the infrared universe by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite.In the view of the full sky (top), radiation represented by the S-shaped blue area is emitted by dust in the solar system. When that light is removed (middle), light from dust in the Milky Way (the band at the centre) and Magellanic Clouds (lower right) remains. A uniform field of cosmic infrared background radiation is revealed when the galactic light is removed (bottom); the dark line at the centre is an artifact of the filtering process.
Know about the Millennium Simulation at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics and learn how to simulate the universe on a personal computer
Understand how the polarization of the light from cosmic background radiation influenced the early development of the universe
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

James Peebles
American physicist
Rainer Weiss
American physicist
Rashid Sunyaev
Russian-German astrophysicist
Arno Penzias
American astrophysicist
Robert Woodrow Wilson
American astronomer

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy