This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product Universe time line. Computer illustration showing the universe'
This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product Universe time line. Computer illustration showing the universe's evolution from the Big Bang (left) to the present day (centre and right three images). Space (including hypothetical non-observable portions of the Universe) is represented at each time by the boxed sections. As the universe cooled immediately after the Big Bang atomic nuclei began to form. After 300,000 years these nuclei combined with electrons to form atoms (mainly hydrogen). Within a million years dense regions of atoms attracted nearby matter, forming gas clouds and, after about 400 million years, stars and then small galaxies. Gradually the galaxy formation rate decreased and the small galaxies merged into larger galaxies. Our solar system came into existence after about 9 billion
Size: 4096px × 1808px
Photo credit: © Planck Collaboration/ESA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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