The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model for the universe from t

he earliest known periods through its subsequent large-scale evolution.[1][2][3]

It states that the universe expanded from a very high density state,[4][5] and
offers a comprehensive explanation for a broad range of observed phenomena, incl
uding the abundance of light elements, the cosmic microwave background, large sc
ale structure, and Hubble's Law.[6] If the known laws of physics are extrapolate
d beyond where they are valid, there is a singularity. Modern measurements place
this moment at approximately 13.8 billion years ago, which is thus considered t
he age of the universe.[7] After the initial expansion, the universe cooled suff
iciently to allow the formation of subatomic particles, and later simple atoms.
Giant clouds of these primordial elements later coalesced through gravity to for
m stars and galaxies.
In the mid-20th century, three British astrophysicists, Stephen Hawking, George
F. R. Ellis, and Roger Penrose turned their attention to the theory of relativit
y and its implications regarding our notions of time. In 1968 and 1970, they pub
lished papers in which they extended Einstein's theory of general relativity to
include measurements of time and space.[8][9] According to their calculations, t
ime and space had a finite beginning that corresponded to the origin of matter a
nd energy.
Since Georges Lematre first noted, in 1927, that an expanding universe might be t
raced back in time to an originating single point, scientists have built on his
idea of cosmic expansion. While the scientific community was once divided betwee
n supporters of two different expanding universe theories, the Big Bang and the
Steady State theory, accumulated empirical evidence provides strong support for
the former.[10] In 1929, from analysis of galactic redshifts, Edwin Hubble concl
uded that galaxies are drifting apart, important observational evidence consiste
nt with the hypothesis of an expanding universe. In 1964, the cosmic microwave b
ackground radiation was discovered, which was crucial evidence in favor of the B
ig Bang model, since that theory predicted the existence of background radiation
throughout the universe before it was discovered. More recently, measurements o
f the redshifts of supernovae indicate that the expansion of the universe is acc
elerating, an observation attributed to dark energy's existence.[11] The known p
hysical laws of nature can be used to calculate the characteristics of the unive
rse in detail back in time to an initial state of extreme density and temperatur
e.[12][13][14]
Contents [hide]
1 Overview
2 Timeline of the Big Bang
2.1 Singularity
2.2 Inflation and baryogenesis
2.3 Cooling
2.4 Structure formation
2.5 Cosmic acceleration
3 Underlying assumptions
3.1 Expansion of space
3.2 Horizons
4 History
4.1 Etymology
4.2 Development
5 Observational evidence
5.1 Hubble's law and the expansion of space
5.2 Cosmic microwave background radiation
5.3 Abundance of primordial elements
5.4 Galactic evolution and distribution
5.5 Primordial gas clouds
5.6 Other lines of evidence
6 Related issues in physics

6.1 Baryon asymmetry

6.2 Dark energy
6.3 Dark matter
6.4 Globular cluster age
7 Problems
7.1 Horizon problem
7.2 Flatness problem
7.3 Magnetic monopoles
8 The future according to the Big Bang theory
9 Before: Speculative physics beyond the Big Bang theory
10 Religious and philosophical interpretations
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
13.1 Books
14 Further reading
15 External links
Overview
History of the Universe - gravitational waves are hypothesized to arise from cos
mic inflation, an expansion just after the Big Bang.[15][16][17][18]
External Timeline
A graphical timeline is available at
Graphical timeline of the Big Bang
Hubble observed that the distances to faraway galaxies were strongly correlated
with their redshifts. This was interpreted to mean that all distant galaxies and
clusters are receding away from our vantage point with an apparent velocity pro
portional to their distance: that is, the farther they are, the faster they move
away from us, regardless of direction.[19] Assuming the Copernican principle (t
hat the Earth is not the center of the universe), the only remaining interpretat
ion is that all observable regions of the universe are receding from all others.
Since we know that the distance between galaxies increases today, it must mean
that in the past galaxies were closer together. The continuous expansion of the
universe implies that the universe was denser and hotter in the past.
Large particle accelerators can replicate the conditions that prevailed after th
e early moments of the universe, resulting in confirmation and refinement of the
details of the Big Bang model. However, these accelerators can only probe so fa
r into high energy regimes. Consequently, the state of the universe in the earli
est instants of the Big Bang expansion is still poorly understood and an area of
open investigation and indeed, speculation.
The first subatomic particles included protons, neutrons, and electrons. Though
simple atomic nuclei formed within the first three minutes after the Big Bang, t
housands of years passed before the first electrically neutral atoms formed. The
majority of atoms produced by the Big Bang were hydrogen, along with helium and
traces of lithium. Giant clouds of these primordial elements later coalesced th
rough gravity to form stars and galaxies, and the heavier elements were synthesi
zed either within stars or during supernovae.
The Big Bang theory offers a comprehensive explanation for a broad range of obse
rved phenomena, including the abundance of light elements, the cosmic microwave
background, large scale structure, and Hubble's Law.[6] The framework for the Bi
g Bang model relies on Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and on sim
plifying assumptions such as homogeneity and isotropy of space. The governing eq
uations were formulated by Alexander Friedmann, and similar solutions were worke
d on by Willem de Sitter. Since then, astrophysicists have incorporated observat
ional and theoretical additions into the Big Bang model, and its parametrization
as the Lambda-CDM model serves as the framework for current investigations of t
heoretical cosmology. The Lambda-CDM model is the standard model of Big Bang cos
mology, the simplest model that provides a reasonably good account of various ob

servations about the universe.