How Is the Distance to the CMB Measured and How Does It Relate to Its Structure?

The CMB is everywhere, in all directions. What you're seeing in that image is the Milky Way galaxy, which we happen to be inside of.In summary, the distance to the CMB has been measured to be approximately 14 billion light years, using anisotropies in the CMB to determine the rate of expansion and the amount of time that has passed since it was emitted. The WMAP data does not show a plane or equator in the CMB itself, but rather the Milky Way galaxy in which we are located.
  • #1
AutoToAlek
1
0
Hello, I'm new here and have joined to ask the following two questions:

1 - The distance to the CMB has been measured at approximately 14 billion light years. How was this achieved, what is the error and is it the same in all directions?

2 - WMAP data clearly shows that the CMB has a plane or equator of sorts. What is the angle of offset between that plane and our galactic plane?

I'd be very interested to know these answers. Thanks in advance!
 
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  • #2
1 - The distance to the CMB has been measured at approximately 14 billion light years. How was this achieved, what is the error and is it the same in all directions?

Do you have a reference for that? Because it doesn't sound true.

2 - WMAP data clearly shows that the CMB has a plane or equator of sorts. What is the angle of offset between that plane and our galactic plane?

That is exactly the galactic plane.
 
  • #3
AutoToAlek said:
Hello, I'm new here and have joined to ask the following two questions:

1 - The distance to the CMB has been measured at approximately 14 billion light years. How was this achieved, what is the error and is it the same in all directions?
Well, the time since the CMB was emitted has been measured to be about 13.7 billion years. Distance is another matter, and that depends upon what you mean by "distance" (unfortunately, it isn't terribly simple in curved space-time).

The basic way this was measured is by using the anisotropies in the CMB to determine how much matter, dark matter, dark energy, etc. there was in the universe, then extrapolating from that the rate of expansion between now and then, and from the rate of expansion we can obtain the amount of time that has passed since the CMB was emitted.

AutoToAlek said:
2 - WMAP data clearly shows that the CMB has a plane or equator of sorts. What is the angle of offset between that plane and our galactic plane?
No, that's just our galaxy that you're seeing. That's not part of the CMB itself.
 

Related to How Is the Distance to the CMB Measured and How Does It Relate to Its Structure?

1. What is CMB structure and orientation?

CMB (Cosmic Microwave Background) is the faint radiation leftover from the Big Bang that fills the entire universe. It is the oldest light in the universe and has been travelling since the early universe, giving us a glimpse into the universe's early stages. The structure and orientation of CMB refer to the variations in temperature and polarization patterns observed in the cosmic microwave background radiation.

2. How was CMB structure and orientation first discovered?

CMB structure and orientation were first discovered in 1964 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson using a radio telescope. They noticed a uniform background noise that could not be explained by any known source, which was later identified as the cosmic microwave background radiation.

3. What does CMB structure and orientation tell us about the universe?

The structure and orientation of CMB provide valuable information about the universe's age, composition, and evolution. It supports the Big Bang theory and helps us understand the universe's expansion, the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures, and the distribution of matter and energy in the universe.

4. How is CMB structure and orientation measured?

CMB structure and orientation are measured using telescopes and satellites equipped with highly sensitive detectors that can measure the radiation's temperature and polarization patterns. The data collected is then analyzed using statistical methods to study the variations and infer the universe's properties.

5. What are the current research efforts in studying CMB structure and orientation?

Scientists continue to study CMB structure and orientation to gain a better understanding of the universe's fundamental principles. Current research efforts include mapping the CMB in higher resolution, studying its polarization patterns, and searching for any potential anomalies that may challenge our current understanding of the universe.

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