Uploaded January 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Download the PBS Video App: pbs.org/pbs-video-app
The universe is microwaving itself. A mystery signal discovered in the 1960s led to a Nobel prize.
In this video, Dianna explores one of the most mysterious discoveries in physics - a constant microwave signal that seemed to be coming from everywhere in the universe. It turned out to be light from an unusual process 13.8 billion years ago.
Special thanks to our Sally Ride level patrons: Alejandro Gutierrez, Brian O'Connell, Darkbit, Dave Butler, David Cichowski, Edi, Fabrice Eap, Henning Bitsch, Kenneth Hunter, Margaux Lopez, and Vincent Flores.
Join the Physics Girl Patreon community! ►► patreon.com/physicsgirl
Check out MinutePhysics - Why do compressed air cans get cold?
youtube.com/watch?v=kjraelDMrFQ
If you liked this video check out these:
Why is the universe flat?
youtube.com/watch?v=MTUsOWtxKKA
How the Edge of our Galaxy Defies Known Physics
youtube.com/watch?v=c6Eq2sI1NDY
MANY thanks to: Nick Lucid, Katie Mack, Derek Muller, Henry Reich, Thom Ory and Edward Wright for helping with this video!
Thanks to Levi Butner for inspiriting the idea for this video by asking me WAY too many questions during work! :)
physicsgirl.org
twitter.com/thephysicsgirl
facebook.com/thephysicsgirl
instagram.com/thephysicsgirl
Creator/Host: Dianna Cowern
Editor: Levi Butner
Writing: Valerie Bentivegna
Research/Copy Editing: Dianna Cowern
Sources:
Temperature and wavelength of original CMB:
astro.uvic.ca/~jwillis/teaching/astr405/astr405_lecture3.pdf
http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~ryden/ast162_9/notes39.html
ESA Planck References:
http://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Planck
NASA WMAP Reference:
map.gsfc.nasa.gov
Interview with John G. Cramer (via email)
https://kipac.stanford.edu/highlights/understanding-dark-energy-through-cmb-observations
Nobel prize photo - Alexander Mahmoud 2018
aps.org/publications/apsnews/200207/history.cfm
Download the PBS Video App: pbs.org/pbs-video-app
The universe is microwaving itself. A mystery signal discovered in the 1960s led to a Nobel prize.
In this video, Dianna explores one of the most mysterious discoveries in physics - a constant microwave signal that seemed to be coming from everywhere in the universe. It turned out to be light from an unusual process 13.8 billion years ago.
Special thanks to our Sally Ride level patrons: Alejandro Gutierrez, Brian O'Connell, Darkbit, Dave Butler, David Cichowski, Edi, Fabrice Eap, Henning Bitsch, Kenneth Hunter, Margaux Lopez, and Vincent Flores.
Join the Physics Girl Patreon community! ►► patreon.com/physicsgirl
Check out MinutePhysics - Why do compressed air cans get cold?
youtube.com/watch?v=kjraelDMrFQ
If you liked this video check out these:
Why is the universe flat?
youtube.com/watch?v=MTUsOWtxKKA
How the Edge of our Galaxy Defies Known Physics
youtube.com/watch?v=c6Eq2sI1NDY
MANY thanks to: Nick Lucid, Katie Mack, Derek Muller, Henry Reich, Thom Ory and Edward Wright for helping with this video!
Thanks to Levi Butner for inspiriting the idea for this video by asking me WAY too many questions during work! :)
physicsgirl.org
twitter.com/thephysicsgirl
facebook.com/thephysicsgirl
instagram.com/thephysicsgirl
Creator/Host: Dianna Cowern
Editor: Levi Butner
Writing: Valerie Bentivegna
Research/Copy Editing: Dianna Cowern
Sources:
Temperature and wavelength of original CMB:
astro.uvic.ca/~jwillis/teaching/astr405/astr405_lecture3.pdf
http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~ryden/ast162_9/notes39.html
ESA Planck References:
http://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Planck
NASA WMAP Reference:
map.gsfc.nasa.gov
Interview with John G. Cramer (via email)
https://kipac.stanford.edu/highlights/understanding-dark-energy-through-cmb-observations
Nobel prize photo - Alexander Mahmoud 2018
aps.org/publications/apsnews/200207/history.cfm
