Cosmic background radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that permeates the entire universe. It was first discovered in 1964 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, and is believed to be leftover radiation from the Big Bang.
Cosmic background radiation is measured using a device called a radiometer, which is designed to detect and measure microwave radiation. This radiation is then analyzed and mapped to create a visual representation of the cosmic background radiation.
Studying cosmic background radiation is important because it provides valuable information about the early universe and the origins of our universe. It also helps us understand the structure and evolution of the universe, as well as the distribution of matter and energy within it.
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is a specific type of cosmic background radiation that has a blackbody spectrum at a temperature of 2.7 Kelvin. It is believed to be the oldest light in the universe and provides evidence for the Big Bang theory.
The discovery of cosmic background radiation and the subsequent observation of its consistency with the predictions of the Big Bang theory provide strong evidence for the theory. Additionally, the fluctuations in the cosmic background radiation allow us to study the early universe and confirm key aspects of the Big Bang model, such as the expansion of the universe and the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures.