How the Universe Began

Imagine stepping outside at night and looking up. What do you see? The black sky is space, and the shining points are stars and planets.

The Universe is everything that exists: space, planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies. Even you and I are part of the Universe.

Where Did It All Come From?

Scientists say that a very long time ago there was nothing at all: no stars, no planets, not even the tiniest pebble.

Then… BANG! Everything began.

Scientists call this the Big Bang. But it was not an explosion like a bomb. There was no fire or thunderous noise. Space itself simply began to expand, like a balloon being inflated.

It All Began with a Point

After the Big Bang, that tiny point suddenly began to grow incredibly fast, faster than you can blink. In a moment it became as large as an enormous galaxy.

At first it was unimaginably hot, far hotter than the hottest oven in the world.

Gradually, the Universe cooled down.

The first stars formed from hot gas. Then came galaxies, followed by planets. Many millions of years later, you and I appeared on one of them. Amazing, isn’t it?

Everything around us—trees, houses, oceans, clouds, you and me—came from that tiny point.

What Was There Before the Big Bang?

This is where things become especially interesting: we do not know. Nobody does. It is one of science’s greatest mysteries.

Perhaps you will find the answer when you grow up. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?