Earth & Life Science
small singularity, then inflating over the next 13.8 billion years to the
1.1 State the different hypotheses explaining the origin of the
universe.
What is the Universe?
The Universe or cosmos contains all galaxies, stars, and planets.
Our Solar System is located in the Milky Way galaxy, which is one of
many galaxies in the Universe.
So far there are 51 galaxies that has been discovered but there are an
estimated number of about 100 to 200 billion in all.
Astronomers say there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the
observable universe. They’ve counted the galaxies in a particular
region, and multiplied this up to estimate the number for the whole
universe.
Optical telescopes have been used for astronomical observation since
the time of Galileo, but the technology has moved on significantly
since then.
Cosmology is the branch of science that studies the origin, evolution
and fate of the universe.
What are the theories behind the Origin of the Universe?
Theories behind the origin of the Universe:
1. Big Bang - is the leading explanation about how the universe
began.
In this theory, energy and matter divided and became distinct from
each other. After the massive explosion, dust and portion of the
condensed matter and energy spread out.
At its simplest, it talks about the universe as we know it starting with a
cosmos that we know today.
2. Steady State – It states that the universe has been present ever
since and therefore has no beginning and no end.
According to this theory, the density of matter in the expanding
universe remains unchanged due to a continuous creation of matter.
3. Pulsating Universe – it combines both the Big Bang and the Big
Crunch as a part of a cyclic event.
This theory, which is more commonly known as the oscillating or
cyclic universe theory, postulates that the universe goes through
regular cycles of expansion and destruction.
The Big Crunch states that at a certain point in time, it will stop
expanding and collapse into itself, pulling everything with it until it
eventually turns into the biggest black hole ever. It is one of the
scenarios predicted by scientists in which the Universe may end.
That is, if the Big Bang describes how the Universe most possibly
began, the Big Crunch describes how it will end as a consequence of
that beginning.