CHAPTER 1: Origin of the Universe and the Solar System 1

Lesson 1 | Theories on the Origin of the Universe Lemaitre propose his theory of the universe came
from a singularity and is not constant.

THE BIG BANG THEORY The universe is in an initial state where all matter
and energy is condensed in one quantum.
 The universe formed approximately 13.7 billion
years ago from a cataclysmic expansion which
 1931 - Lemaitre published a book entitled:
hurdled all matter and created space
Primeval Atom
 As a consequence of this event, different
Cosmic rays were relic of early universe, radiation
subatomic particles are formed (e.g. protons,
is left over after the explosion. Afterwards,
electrons and neutrons). Cooling of this debris
condensation of the masses and energy started
allowed the formation of simplest atoms (first
the simplest atoms and later the elements helium
elements Hydrogen and Helium) which dominate
and hydrogen.
the universe we have now.

 1940 – Lemaitre turned away from cosmology

The universe started from nothing, until there was only
pure energy compressed in a single point called singularity.
 1966 – Lemaitre died shortly after hearing of the
discovery the microwave back ground
Georges Lemaitre’s Big Bang Theory
 Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson 1965: Cosmic
Microwave Background – by accident, they
discovered that this microwave background traces
 1916- The universe was static and the galaxies
the history of the process how universe is
were moving inside (Albert Einstein’s Theory of
expanding base from Lemaitre’s hypothesis.
General Relativity)
 1998 – The Big Bang Theory was the most widely
 1924 - Vesto Slipher – performed the first
accepted theory of the Universe
measurements of radial velocities for galaxies,
providing the empirical basis for the expansion of
the universe
Will you count for this theory of Universe for Hubble’s or
- discovered the movement of galaxies Lemaitre’s? 😊
and nebulae away from the observer,
not in random different directions
Other theories
(measured velocities of nebulae using
Doppler effect) Steady- state Universe Theory

 Alexander Friedmann - writes down an equation for
an expanding coordinate system
But did develop much of his discovery with
astronomical studies
 1926 - Edwin Hubble’s Law – Galactic Red shift
- this equation has to be obeyed if the universe
is really expanding original place parallel to the
resulting distance (absolute distance,
brightness and velocity of stars)
- he discovered Andromeda nebulae which
 Lemaitre published a book:A homogenous
Universe of Constant Mass and Growing Radius
Accounting for Radial velocity of Extra-galactic
Nebulae (in French)
 Continuous creation of matter which is observable
as the expansion of the universe
 The universe is in infinity that there is no beginning
or ending
 This theory is disproven in the mid-1960’s
Oscillating Universe Theory
 This theory states that the universe is possible of
contraction and returning to singularity
Eternal Inflation Universe Theory
 This theory states that the formation of the
universe never stopped and continuously making
other universes (multiverse)