This map shows the oldest light in our universe, as detected with the greatest precision yet by the Planck mission. The ancient light, called the cosmic microwave background, was imprinted on the sky when the universe was 370,000 years old. It shows tiny temperature fluctuations that correspond to regions of slightly different densities, representing the seeds of all future structure: the stars and galaxies of today.
By analyzing the light patterns in this map, scientists are fine tuning what we know about the universe, including its origins, fate and basic components.
Image credit: ESA and the Planck Collaboration
Note: This is a major, major story, and there is a lot of coverage. I will provide only a partial list of articles available, as long as this partial list is:
* PIA16874: The Universe Comes into Sharper Focus
* PIA16875: Map of Matter in the Universe
* PIA16876: The Story of Our Universe
* PIA16877: Peculiar Features in Patterns of Ancient Light
* PIA16878: Refining the Ingredients of Our Universe
* PIA16879: The Universe, Summed Up in a Squiggly Line
* PIA16880: Through the Universe's Looking Glass
* PIA16881: Sounds of the Ancient Universe
* PIA16882: A Journey of Light Through Space and Time
* Planck Mission Brings Universe Into Sharp Focus
* Supercomputer Helps Planck Mission Expose Ancient Light
* Universe Older Than Previously Thought
* Planck CMB
* Cosmic Microwave Background Seen by Planck
* Planck Maps the Dawn of Time
* Power Spectrum of Temperature Fluctuations in the CMB
* Replay: Planck's Cosmic Microwave Background map Media Briefing
* Replay of Planck media briefing - Part 2
* Planck Reveals 'Almost Perfect' Universe
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