CMBR: Is It Constant or Changing Over Time?

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In summary, the CMB (cosmic microwave background) is not constant and is slowly cooling due to the expansion of the universe. This glow emitted by the Big Bang used to be very hot, but is now more redshifted. Fluctuations in the CMB are also expected to change over time, with some changes possibly detectable within 100 years. At a WMAP conference in 2013, it was estimated that the CMBR map will look significantly different in about 1 billion years. A blogpost about this conference includes an animation showing how these changes may appear over time.
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Bill McKeeman
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My question is this: is the CMB constant or might it be changing with time?
 
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Bill McKeeman said:
My question is this: is the CMB constant or might it be changing with time?
It's cooling. Very slowly, but it's cooling. It's the glow emitted by the Big Bang, more and more redshifted due to the expansion of the universe. It used to be really, really hot.

I expect the fluctuations will change over time too, but I don't know the timescale.
 
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It is not constant. At some WMAP conference in 2013 it was estimated that the CMBR map will look totally different in about 1 billion years.
Very small changes might be detectable on the order of 100 years.

Link to blogpost about that conference.

It includes an animation of how those changes could look over time.
 
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Related to CMBR: Is It Constant or Changing Over Time?

1. What is CMBR?

CMBR stands for Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. It is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is present in the universe and can be detected in all directions.

2. Is CMBR constant or changing over time?

CMBR is considered to be constant in temperature, meaning that it has remained at the same temperature since it was first detected. However, it is also believed to have changed in frequency and wavelength over time due to the expansion of the universe.

3. How was CMBR discovered?

CMBR was first discovered in 1964 by scientists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson using a radio telescope. They were studying radio waves from space and discovered a constant background noise that they could not explain. After further research, they determined that this noise was CMBR.

4. What is the significance of CMBR?

CMBR is significant because it is considered to be the oldest light in the universe. It is believed to be leftover radiation from the Big Bang, which is the event that is thought to have created the universe. By studying CMBR, scientists can learn more about the origins and evolution of the universe.

5. How is CMBR used in scientific research?

CMBR is used in various scientific research, including cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics. It has provided evidence for the Big Bang theory and has helped scientists understand the composition and structure of the universe. It is also used to study the expansion of the universe and the formation of galaxies and other celestial bodies.

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