[Donki]

European Space Agency's Planck telescope has revealed a new all sky image going back to 380,000 years after the big bang, before stars or galaxies were formed.

Some believe there may be data that could reveal what was there before the big bang. Mind boggling when you think about it.

Planck

This post has been edited by Donki: 21 March 2013 - 20:23

[Bazmundo]

Quite stunning isn't it? Although it's still only a theory that this was the cause of the background radiation.

I find it more interesting that they claim 'excellent confirmation of the standard model of cosmology' while also admitting they'll need 'new physics' to understand what they didn't expect to see?!

[Donki]

Yes there was a longer report on late ITV news last night, it mentioned that they might have data that needs " a new understanding!! " All conjecture at the moment some of this data may not be deciphered for many years.

I think Mr Cray will need to send them the latest super computer or two to speed up the number crunching.

Must be a great time to be in astrophysics, cosmology etc.

[skanky]

Good explanation here, with a usefule link in the "lopsided" bit: http://www.slate.com...lion_years.html