CMBR: Is It Constant or Changing Over Time?

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SUMMARY

The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) is not constant; it is gradually cooling and becoming more redshifted due to the universe's expansion. According to estimates presented at the 2013 WMAP conference, the CMBR map is projected to appear significantly different in approximately 1 billion years. Additionally, minor fluctuations in the CMBR may be detectable over a timescale of around 100 years. This indicates that the CMBR is dynamic and subject to change over extensive periods.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)
  • Familiarity with redshift and its implications in cosmology
  • Knowledge of the Big Bang theory
  • Awareness of the WMAP satellite and its contributions to cosmology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of redshift on cosmic observations
  • Explore the findings from the WMAP satellite and its data analysis
  • Study the cooling process of the CMBR over time
  • Investigate future predictions regarding the evolution of the CMBR
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, cosmologists, and students of astrophysics interested in the dynamics of the universe and the implications of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.

Bill McKeeman
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My question is this: is the CMB constant or might it be changing with time?
 
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Bill McKeeman said:
My question is this: is the CMB constant or might it be changing with time?
It's cooling. Very slowly, but it's cooling. It's the glow emitted by the Big Bang, more and more redshifted due to the expansion of the universe. It used to be really, really hot.

I expect the fluctuations will change over time too, but I don't know the timescale.
 
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It is not constant. At some WMAP conference in 2013 it was estimated that the CMBR map will look totally different in about 1 billion years.
Very small changes might be detectable on the order of 100 years.

Link to blogpost about that conference.

It includes an animation of how those changes could look over time.
 
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