The Evolving Universe

Smithsonian Institution

The Big Bang

The Observable Universe 300,000 years after the Big Bang

WMAP image

Credit: NASA

Observers: WMAP Science Team

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  • Distance from Earth: 13.6 billion light years
  • Size: 100 billion light years
  • Telescope: WMAP
  • Light: Microwave

Related Exhibit


The Explore the Universe exhibition at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Learn more about human exploration of the universe. Visit the Explore the Universe exhibit at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum or online.