How can we see Background radiation

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In summary, the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation was created 380,000 years after the big bang and was released everywhere in the universe. The CMB radiation we can see today was released just far enough away to reach us now, and in the future we will see CMB radiation from even further distances. This is because the universe is spatially infinite, meaning there is no "outside" that is observable to us at the present moment. Therefore, there will always be more CMB radiation from increasingly distant regions of the universe.
  • #1
Addez123
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CMB was created 380k years after big bang. Then photons were released in the creation of hydrogen.
How can we still see them today?

Would they not travel fairly straight forward out of our universe and never return again?
 
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  • #2
Addez123 said:
How can we still see them today?

Because they were released everywhere in the universe. The CMB radiation we are seeing now was released just far enough away that it is reaching us now. In the future we will see CMB radiation that was released still further away.

Addez123 said:
Would they not travel fairly straight forward out of our universe

There is no "out of our universe". Our best current model is that the universe is spatially infinite. That does mean that a particular bit of CMB radiation, once it passes us, won't ever return to us again. But there will always be more, from places more and more distant when the CMB radiation was released.
 
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  • #3
Addez123 said:
...out of our universe ,,,
What does that mean?, what outside?
Outside what is observable to us at the present moment?
 

Related to How can we see Background radiation

1. What is background radiation?

Background radiation is a type of radiation that is present in our environment at all times. It comes from various sources, such as the sun, rocks and soil, and even outer space. It is a natural part of our surroundings and cannot be avoided.

2. How can we detect background radiation?

There are several ways to detect background radiation. One common method is by using a Geiger counter, which measures the levels of radiation in a given area. Another method is by using a dosimeter, which is a device that can be worn to monitor an individual's exposure to radiation over time.

3. Why is background radiation important to study?

Background radiation is important to study because it can have both positive and negative effects on living organisms. It is also used in various fields of science, such as geology and astronomy, to learn more about our planet and the universe.

4. What are the potential health risks associated with background radiation?

Exposure to high levels of background radiation can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as skin cancer or leukemia. However, the levels of background radiation that we are exposed to on a daily basis are usually too low to cause any significant harm.

5. How can we protect ourselves from background radiation?

There is no way to completely protect ourselves from background radiation, as it is present in our environment at all times. However, we can minimize our exposure by limiting our use of certain technologies, such as X-rays, and avoiding areas with high levels of background radiation, such as nuclear power plants.

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