Explained: The Big Bang Theory all about?  

Scientists have been studying the origin of the universe for several centuries. From times of antiquity, there have been numerous theories and interpretations related to it- from religious and spiritual perspectives, to more scientific ones. However, one of the most popular theories about how the universe was created is the ‘Big Bang Theory.’ Read on to learn more about it. 

What is the Big Bang Theory? 
The Big Bang Theory essentially attempts to explain how the universe was created in the first place. Also referred to as the Big Bang, it is a scientific model which describes what exactly occurred that led to the formation of the universe. According to this popular theory, about 14 billion years ago, there was a massive, colossal blast of energy. This was the very moment when energy, space and other building blocks of life were born. This theory asserts that the entire universe was born in a single fraction of a second.  

Who proposed the idea of the Big Bang Theory? 
Georges Lamaître, a Belgian Catholic priest, mathematician, astronomer and theoretical physicist is considered to be the father of the Big Bang Theory. In 1927, he was the first person who formulated the theory as we know it and proposed the idea that the universe began as a single point. According to him, one single particle, which he called the “primeval atom” disintegrated in a cataclysmic explosion. As a consequence, it gave rise to space and time. 

What exactly happened during the Big Bang? 
According to scientists and astronomers, the birth of the universe commenced through one single dense point. It was infinitely hot and also inflated and stretched at an exceedingly fast pace, which was unimaginable to decipher. However, over time, its speed reduced to a much more measurable rate. It also cooled down over time, a flood of matter and radiation began populating the universe. It eventually led to the formation particles and atoms which later created stars and galaxies. The first stars that were born led to the creation of even bigger atoms and groups of atoms, which in turn, led to the formation of more stars. As this was going on, numerous galaxies where colliding and grouping together. With the birth and the eventual death of stars, other celestial objects such as asteroids, comets, planets and black holes were also formed. Scientists believe that the infinite expansion is occurring even today as we speak, and will continue to do so infinitely.