- #1
syano
- 82
- 0
Why hasn’t the background microwave radiation from the early universe all burnt out by now?
(Penzias, Wilson, Dicke, Peebles, and George Gamow’s discovery of background radiation is what I am referring to.)
I’ve heard a couple reasons on what caused the radiation… One about antimatter and matter annihilating each other in the early universe which released energy that can still be viewed today… and another about how the early universe was so hot that the effects could be measured now as microwaves.
Why is the radiation still there for us to observe?
My microwave-oven emits microwaves when it is on. And when I turn it off and open the door the waves are gone. (I understand why the microwaves are gone when I open the oven door.)
If I light a match I will see its light, but when I blow it out I won’t see its light any more. (I understand why this happens too)
However I don’t understand why the heat from the early universe would still be detectable today…
S
(Penzias, Wilson, Dicke, Peebles, and George Gamow’s discovery of background radiation is what I am referring to.)
I’ve heard a couple reasons on what caused the radiation… One about antimatter and matter annihilating each other in the early universe which released energy that can still be viewed today… and another about how the early universe was so hot that the effects could be measured now as microwaves.
Why is the radiation still there for us to observe?
My microwave-oven emits microwaves when it is on. And when I turn it off and open the door the waves are gone. (I understand why the microwaves are gone when I open the oven door.)
If I light a match I will see its light, but when I blow it out I won’t see its light any more. (I understand why this happens too)
However I don’t understand why the heat from the early universe would still be detectable today…
S