A sharper view of the early universe than any other image has captured so far was released July 5 by the European Space Agency. Its Planck satellite, launched in May 2009, records the glow of microwave radiation from the Big Bang. Planck’s map depicts subtle variations in the universe’s temperature at different points in the sky, reflecting the distribution of matter when the universe was 380,000 years old. White and blue areas represent foreground interference from the Milky Way and other galaxies; that data must be subtracted before the primordial microwaves (represented by the yellow and reddish portions of the image) can be fully analyzed.
Credit: ESA, HFI & LFI consortia
Even if science can’t make life longer, perhaps a pill can make a long life better
The gene patenting decision from a plaintiff’s point of view
With everyday materials, two research teams conceal ordinary objects
In mating display, male birds match moves to songs
Coverage of the 2013 American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting
The Year in Science 2012
Three-part series on the scientific struggle to explain the conscious self
Tables of contents, columns and FAQs on SN Prime for iPad
By Leila Schneps and Coralie Colmez
Review by Janet Raloff
Please alert Science News to any inappropriate posts by clicking the REPORT SPAM link within the post. Comments will be reviewed before posting.
You must register with Science News to add a comment. To log-in click here. To register as a new user, follow this link.