Stephenson 2-18: The Largest Star in the Universe and How It Compares to the Sun, Earth, and Solar System

Stephenson 2-18: The Largest Star in the Universe 

When you look up at the night sky, it's hard to imagine that some of those tiny points of light are actually massive stars. Among them lies Stephenson 2-18, the largest star ever discovered in the known universe. It’s so colossal that it makes our Sun look like a mere speck of dust in comparison. This mind-bogglingly gigantic star challenges everything we thought possible about the size and power of stars. Once you learn more about it, you'll never see the stars the same way again. 

Stephenson 2-18 The Largest Star in The Universe

How Big is the Largest Star Stephenson 2-18? A Size Comparison with the Sun and Earth 

Let's start with the basics: Earth, our home planet, has a radius of about 6,371 kilometers. The Sun, which already seems enormous, has a radius of 696,340 kilometers. Now, compare that to Stephenson 2-18, which has an astounding radius of 1.5 billion kilometers. If Stephenson 2-18 were placed at the center of our solar system, it would stretch far beyond Saturn, engulfing all the inner planets, including Earth.

To truly understand the scale, let’s talk about volume. The volume of Earth is around 1.08 trillion cubic kilometers, and the Sun's volume is about 1.41 billion trillion cubic kilometers. However, Stephenson 2-18 dwarfs them both with a volume of 1.41 octillion cubic kilometers—that’s 10 billion times the volume of the Sun! Imagine, you could fit 13 quadrillion Earths or 10 billion Suns inside this one star! 

Stephenson 2-18: The Enormous Energy Output of a Red Supergiant Star 

Not only is Stephenson 2-18 gigantic in size, but it also produces an unimaginable amount of energy. Despite being a red supergiant, a type of star nearing the end of its life, it still shines brighter than most stars in the galaxy. If you were to get even remotely close to it, the light and heat would be absolutely unbearable from millions of miles away. The amount of fuel this star burns every second is incomprehensible.

Stars like Stephenson 2-18 are extremely rare. Red supergiants have a shorter lifespan compared to smaller stars like the Sun. When Stephenson 2-18 runs out of fuel, it will end in a massive supernova explosion. This explosion will be so powerful that it may be visible from Earth, even from thousands of light-years away. What remains after such an event could either be a neutron star or a black hole.

Why the Discovery of Stephenson 2-18 Matters in Astronomy 

Understanding stars like Stephenson 2-18 is crucial for astronomy. Studying these supergiant stars allows scientists to learn more about the life cycles of stars—how they are born, live, and eventually die. It helps us predict the future of other stars, including our Sun. Additionally, Stephenson 2-18 offers a humbling perspective on the vastness of the universe. While it is incomprehensibly large, it is still just one star in a galaxy filled with billions of others.

Stephenson 2-18: A Monument to the Vastness of the Cosmos

In the grand scheme of the universe, Stephenson 2-18 stands as one of the largest and most awe-inspiring objects we have ever discovered. Its incredible size, immense brightness, and the mystery of its eventual supernova make it a true cosmic wonder. Gaze up at the stars and remember that out there, Stephenson 2-18 is silently burning, reminding us how small we truly are in the vast expanse of space.

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7 Scientific Ways to Time Travel You Didn't Know About

Imagine being able to visit the future or explore the distant past. While time travel is often the stuff of science fiction, scientific theories suggest that it might be more than just fantasy. Although we’re far from building a time machine, scientists have proposed several intriguing ways time travel could potentially work based on the principles of physics. Here are seven scientific concepts that might make time travel a reality someday. 

7 Theories of Time Travel Backed By Science

Scientific Ways To Time Travel

1. Time Dilation: A Journey at Light Speed 

One of the well supported ideas comes from Einstein's Theory of Relativity. According to time dilation, as you approach the speed of light, time slows down for you relative to someone who remains stationary. 
Imagine being on a spaceship, moving through the cosmos at almost the speed of light. For you, time would pass slowly, while for people on Earth, years would fly by. If you return to Earth after a long journey, you could find that many more years have passed here than you experienced. This form of time travel, known as relative time travel, is grounded in scientific theory and has been confirmed through experiments with particles moving at high speeds.

2. Wormholes: Cosmic Shortcuts 

Wormholes are theoretical tunnels through spacetime that could connect distant parts of the universe or even different times. Wormholes arise from the Einstein's General theory of relativity, suggesting they could exist.

Picture spacetime as a sheet of paper; if you fold it and punch a hole through it, you create a shortcut between two points. In theory, if a wormhole exists, traveling through it could take you from one time to another almost instantly. 
While wormholes are a fascinating concept, they remain purely theoretical. No evidence has been found for their existence, and even if they do exist, they might require exotic matter to keep them stable.

3. Cosmic Strings: The Universe's Threads 

Cosmic strings are hypothetical one-dimensional objects thought to have formed in the early universe. These strings could be extremely dense and thin. Some theories suggest that traveling near a cosmic string might allow for time travel due to the extreme warping of spacetime they produce. 
Imagine cosmic strings as ultra-thin wires stretching across the cosmos. If you could travel close to these strings, their intense gravitational effects might create a time loop or allow you to travel to different points in time. However, cosmic strings are still speculative, and no direct evidence of their existence has been found.

4. Black Holes and Time Loops 

Black holes are regions of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Some theories propose that if you could survive the journey into a black hole, you might encounter a time loop—a path that loops back in time. 
This concept is based on the idea that the intense warping of spacetime inside a black hole could create closed time-like curves, allowing for travel to the past. However, the conditions inside a black hole are extreme, and we currently have no practical way to test this idea.

5. Quantum Tunneling: Passing Through Barriers 

Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where particles can pass through energy barriers that would normally be insurmountable. This principle is used in technologies like tunnel diodes and scanning tunneling microscopes.
In theory, if this effect could be harnessed on a macroscopic scale, it might allow for time travel by enabling objects to "tunnel" through spacetime barriers. However, applying quantum tunneling to larger objects, like humans or spaceships, remains speculative and far beyond our current technology. 

6. Time Crystals: New Frontiers in Physics 

Time crystals are a newly discovered phase of matter that could potentially change our understanding of time. Unlike ordinary crystals that repeat in space, time crystals repeat in time. They oscillate between different states, potentially allowing for a form of time travel within the crystal.
Though still in its early stages, research into time crystals is ongoing. If proven feasible, time crystals could provide new insights into the nature of time and possibly suggest ways to manipulate it. 

7. Parallel Universes: Alternate Realities 

Some theories suggest that time travel might involve moving between parallel universes or alternate realities. If our universe is part of a larger multiverse with many parallel timelines, traveling to a different timeline could be a form of time travel. 
Imagine stepping into an alternate version of reality where history unfolded differently. This concept is popular in science fiction and is supported by some interpretations of quantum mechanics, but it remains speculative and lacks empirical evidence.

Conclusion 

While time travel remains largely within the realm of theory and science fiction, these seven concepts provide fascinating glimpses into the possibilities that science offers. From the well-established effects of time dilation to the speculative ideas of wormholes and time crystals, each theory reveals different aspects of how time might be manipulated. As our understanding of physics advances, who knows what future discoveries might bring us closer to making time travel a reality? For now, exploring these ideas helps us appreciate the complex and intriguing nature of the universe we live in.

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity: Understanding the Curved Fabric of Space-Time

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity: How Gravity Shapes Our Universe 

Have you ever wondered why the Earth orbits the Sun or why objects fall to the ground? It’s not just about forces or gravity—there’s a deeper reason tied to the very fabric of our universe. 

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity provides the key to understanding these cosmic phenomena. This groundbreaking theory, introduced by Albert Einstein in 1915, redefines how we think about gravity and the structure of space and time. 

What is the General Theory of Relativity?

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity Explaining Gravity by Showing The Curved Spacetime Fabric

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity extends his earlier work on special relativity by incorporating gravity. Instead of viewing gravity as a force, as Isaac Newton did, Einstein proposed that gravity is the result of objects bending the fabric of space and time, known as spacetime. This concept shows that massive objects like planets and stars warp the space around them, and this warping is what we experience as gravity.

Understanding Spacetime

To grasp this theory, imagine a trampoline with a heavy ball placed in the center. The ball creates a dip in the trampoline, and if you roll a smaller ball around the edge, it will spiral towards the heavy ball due to the dip. Similarly, in spacetime, massive objects like the Earth create a “dent” or curvature, and objects moving near this dent are drawn towards the mass. 
This is why the Earth orbits the Sun. The Sun’s massive presence creates a curve in spacetime, and the Earth follows a path along this curve. This curving effect is not something we feel directly, but it explains why objects fall and planets orbit as they do. 

Gravity as Spacetime Curvature 

Einstein’s theory suggests that rather than thinking of gravity as a force pulling objects together, we should think of it as the result of objects moving through curved spacetime. This means that gravity is not an invisible force acting at a distance but a consequence of how mass influences the shape of space and time.
For example, if you drop a ball, it falls to the ground not because of an invisible force but because the ball is moving through the curved spacetime around Earth. This curvature guides the ball’s path, making it fall towards Earth.

The Famous E=mc² Equation 

Einstein’s theory also introduced the famous equation **E = mc²**, which shows the relationship between mass (m) and energy (E). This equation shows that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. In the context of general relativity, it helps us understand how energy and mass can bend space-time. For instance, a massive star can warp space-time so much that it creates a black hole, a region where space-time is curved to an extreme extent.

Testing General Relativity

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity has been tested and confirmed in numerous ways. One notable test came in 1919, when British astronomer Arthur Eddington observed a solar eclipse and found that the light from distant stars was bent as it passed near the Sun. This observation confirmed Einstein’s prediction that massive objects bend light, which was a key part of his theory. 
Another test of general relativity comes from gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime caused by massive objects like merging black holes. First predicted by Einstein, these waves were directly observed by scientists in 2015, providing further proof of his theory. 

Black Holes and the Expanding Universe 

General relativity also helps us understand black holes, regions of space where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape. These objects form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity, warping spacetime to create an almost infinite curvature. 
The theory also describes the expanding universe. According to general relativity, the fabric of spacetime itself is expanding, causing galaxies to move away from each other. This expansion was confirmed in the 1920s by astronomer Edwin Hubble and is now a key part of our understanding of cosmology.

Real-World Applications 

While the theory might seem abstract, it has practical applications. For example, GPS technology relies on precise measurements of time and space. Since satellites orbit Earth and experience different gravitational effects compared to those on the ground, adjustments based on general relativity are necessary to ensure accurate positioning data.

The Ongoing Legacy 

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity revolutionized our understanding of the universe, transforming how we view space, time, and gravity. It replaced Newton’s idea of gravity as a force with a view of gravity as the result of spacetime curvature. This shift not only deepened our knowledge of cosmic phenomena but also laid the groundwork for modern physics and cosmology.

Conclusion 

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity is more than just a scientific theory; it’s a window into the fundamental workings of the universe. By reimagining gravity as the curvature of spacetime, Einstein provided a deeper understanding of how celestial bodies interact and how the universe expands. This theory continues to influence our exploration of space and our grasp of the cosmos, reminding us that the universe is far more complex and fascinating than it appears at first glance.

Scientists Transmitted Wireless Solar Power from Space to Earth for the 1st Time - Space Solar Power

The European space agency has planned to beam electricity wirelessly from space to power millions of homes. The agency is considering to fund a 3 year study called Solaris. It would check the possibility and cost effectiveness of installing huge solar farms in space.
Engineers have planned to build vast solar arrays in space using robots. The solar arrays would capture the power of the Sun and convert it into microwaves. These microwaves would be beamed towards Earth, where it would be collected by antennas over a huge area and turned into electricity.
Although scientists at Munich have successfully performed this experiment on very small scale. But it is still a big challenge to execute it on much larger scale.
In an experiment conducted at the aerospace firm Airbus, two kilowatts of power was collected from solar panels. The collected power was transmitted from one end of the room to the other. This power was used to light up a model city.
But there is a long way to go to deploy it for practical purpose.
Both the transmission distance and power needs to be increased millions of times for this technology to work. But the engineers are hopeful and believe that it can be done.
One big advantage of installing solar panels in space is that it can get solar energy 24 hours a day. It is not possible on earth during night time and in the presence of clouds.
So lets hope for the success of this technology, which has the potential to solve our energy shortage issues.

Scientists transmitted wireless space solar power for the first time

Higher Dimensions Explained - 11 Dimensions Explained - All Dimensions Explained

If you want deep understanding and visualization of all the dimensions starting from 0th dimension to the 11th dimension, then you have come to the right place.
As you will continue to read the article; you will understand- what are dimensions, how many dimensions are there according to different theories, how we can visualize higher dimensions and what is the geometrical structure of higher dimensions.
Here I will also explain why we are not able to perceive higher dimensions although we might be living in higher dimensions unknowingly and what supernatural powers a being of higher dimensions would possess.
So please go through this post till the end as most of your questions related to dimensions will be answered here.
First of all let's understand what we mean by dimensions?

What are Dimensions?

Dimension of a point is defined as the minimum number of coordinates that are needed to specify that point in it.
For example, to specify a sheet of paper we need two coordinates only; length and breadth. Therefore it is a two dimensional object.
But to specify a cube in space 3 coordinates are needed these are- length breadth and height. Therefore we call it a three dimensional object.

How many dimensions are there in the universe?

According to classical physics there are 3 dimensions of space; length, breadth and height and one dimension is of time. String theory requires 10 dimensions but as per M theory total no. of dimensions are 11. In Bosonic string theory spacetime is 26 dimensional.

Why we cannot perceive higher dimensions?

Actually We might be living in higher dimensions without being aware of it. But because of the limitations of our brain and senses we may not be able to perceive them.

According to some researches extra dimensions may be "curled up" at extremely small scales. This scale is so small that we can not see them with our experiments based on current technologies. As we live in a three dimensional world, it's very hard for our 3 dimensional brain to visualize higher dimensions.

There is a process known as compactification, where higher dimensions are curled in on themselves. On changing our reference frame and going into microscopic level we will find higher dimensions.

Let me explain it with the help of a simple example-

Suppose we are looking at a rope from some distance which is tied between two rocks. From this distance we will see only one dimension of the rope i.e. length. Now Imagine that an ant is crawling onto the rope. So from the frame of reference of ant, the rope is at least 2 dimensional as it can see it's breadth and thickness also along with its length. The ant can also feel the grooves and roughness of the rope.

If we go to microscopic level and see from the reference frame of atoms then we will see a whole new world of 3 dimensional atoms having solid nucleus and electrons revolving around it in 3 dimensional space.

On going further into the microscopic level of strings inside the atom, we will see that strings are vibrating in 11 dimensions. Everything in this universe is made up of tiny vibrating loops known as strings according to string theory.

So now you can understand how we can find higher dimensions at the microscopic level.

11 Dimensions Explained Video

 

Now I will discuss every dimension, starting from the zero dimension to the eleventh dimension.

0th Dimension (Zeroth Dimension)

There is no length, no breadth and no height of an object in the zeroth dimension. Example of zeroth dimension is a point.

Lets imagine someone is living in the zeroth dimension then he would neither have any body nor any shape. He can not move in any direction like forward, reverse, up or down. zeroth dimension is the basis of all the higher dimensions.

1st Dimension (First Dimension)

An object in first dimension has only one dimension i.e. length. A straight line is an example of first dimensional object. We can get straight line by joining two points.

A one Dimensional being can move only in a straight line. It cannot move in other dimensions like left, right and upward or downwards directions.

2nd Dimension (Second Dimension)

Second dimensional objects also known as two dimensional or 2D objects are flat shapes. Some common examples of two dimensional shapes are squares and triangles.

As the name denotes, two dimensional objects are made up of two dimensions length and breadth. There is no third dimension of height or depth. Therefore these objects are flat figures having non zero area but zero volume.

If someone is living in two dimensions, then he would be able to move only on a surface without being able to move in up or down directions.

He will not have any idea of the third dimension which is height.

Can you imagine what will happen when a 3 dimensional object enters into the world of two dimensional being? Let's understand it with an interesting example.

Suppose a two dimensional being present in his two dimensional space is watching a three-dimensional apple entering into his flatland world on a vertical axis perpendicular to the plane of the flatlander.

But as we know a two dimensional being cannot see a three dimensional object. So how would that 3 dimensional apple look like from the frame of reference of that flatlander?

He can not see the Apple until it touches his 2 dimensional plane as it's above his flatland and he cannot see anything which is above or below his 2 dimensional plane world.

but as the Apple just touches the plane, he will see a dot which is nothing but the point of contact of the Apple to the plane.  Now as the Apple goes below his plane world, he sees a circle growing in size on his plane and the size of the circle is maximum when half of the Apple is Above and half is below the plane and then the circle size becomes smaller and smaller and then a point and finally it disappears for him.

It means the 2 dimensional being sees only the cross sectional view of the Apple that is cut by his 2 dimensional plane at that moment.

So for a person living in a particular dimension, objects of higher dimensions suddenly may appear from nowhere, may change shapes and size and then disappear into space. It may appear supernatural or kind of magic for a lower dimensional being but for that higher dimensional object it's nothing special. It just moves in dimensions that are not perceived by him.

3rd Dimension (Third Dimension)

On adding one more dimension to 2 dimensional objects we enter into the world of three dimensions. This third dimension is of height.

Therefore to represent three dimensional or 3D objects we need three coordinates length, breadth and height.

As we have Already discussed that two dimensional objects are plane figures therefore have zero volume.

But three dimensional objects are solid objects and therefore have non zero volume.

Some common daily life examples of three dimensional things are balls, chair, car and we humans.

We live in a three dimensional world. This is the reason we can move in forward, reverse, up and down directions easily.

as we have full control over the three dimensions of space.

4th Dimension (Fourth Dimension)

Time is considered the fourth dimension. A four Dimensional being can move freely in time dimension. It would have full control over time. He would be able to move in any desired direction in time; past or future.

Suppose you are living in a four dimensional world then you would be able to go to a certain point in time in past and change your decisions.

But we humans are 3 dimensional beings, therefore have full control over the three dimensions of space but we are forced to move only in one direction in time; the forward direction, as we are three dimensional beings.

But if we consider the fourth dimension from the geometrical point of view then Hypercube is a 4 dimensional object. It is also called a Tesseract.

The relationship between a hypercube and a cube is same as that of cube and square. So in simple terms a hypercube or tesseract is four dimensional analog of the cube.

As a cube has 6 square faces, in the same way hypersurface of a tesseract consists of 8 cubical cells.

5th Dimension (Fifth Dimension)

A person living in 5th dimension can control time in different ways. A fifth dimensional being can move either in past or future as per his wish.

He would have all the powers that are possessed by a fourth dimensional being.

But he would also be able to be present at different locations at the same time. It would also be possible for him to do many jobs and have different hobbies simultaneously.

Actually Parallel universes exist in this dimension, therefore in the fifth dimension you can I have careers in different fields. In this case, you will have another versions of yourself in parallel universes who would be living their lives independently. They would have separate timelines for the parallel universes. Their lives in different parallel universes will be based on cause and effect. It means their lives will change as per the decisions made by your self versions in different universes.

But one limitation of fifth dimension is that you cannot meet your self version in directly using shortcuts to another timeline of parallel universe.

6th Dimension (Sixth Dimension)

A six dimensional being has all the powers that a person living in 5th dimension has along with some extra capabilities.

Parallel universes exist also in the 6th dimension. A six dimensional being can see all the presents, pasts and futures of all the parallel universes.

But one limitation of the sixth dimension is that all the parallel universes must have the same beginning (initial conditions) that is the Big Bang.

Like in the fifth dimension, in the sixth, dimension also you are free to choose multiple careers of your choice and your multiple versions can live their lives simultaneously in parallel universes.

As I already discussed, one problem with the fifth dimension was, you can not meet your self version in another parallel universe directly using shortcuts.

But the sixth dimension is free from this limitation. You can easily jump from the timeline of your universe to any point present on the timeline of any parallel universe.

7th Dimension (Seventh Dimension)

Seventh dimension can have infinite number of universes. A seventh dimensional being can have infinite forms of itself and can move from one universe to any other universe.

All the powers are possessed by a 7th dimensional being that a sixth dimensional being has.

The seventh dimension is free from the limitations of the sixth dimension.

The 7th dimensional universes may have originated from different start conditions.

And a person living in the seventh dimension can have infinite forms of itself which are able to move freely between all the infinite number of universes at his will. These infinite number of universes may have originated from different initial conditions not just the big bang.

8th Dimension (Eighth Dimension)

The eighth dimension has a plane of all the possible presents, pasts and futures for all the infinite number of parallel universes and all these infinite universes extend up to infinity.

String Theory says in the eighth dimension objects do not have any physical existence. You may think of it analogous to our digital world, where we can not touch the objects but only can see or hear them. They can change shapes, size and appear or disappear instantly. So it may be somewhat similar to the virtual reality.

9th Dimension (Ninth Dimension)

Infinite number of universes exist in the ninth dimension. It is possible for the universes in the ninth dimension to have their own laws of Physics and separate conditions and probabilities of their origin.

You will be surprised to know that in the ninth dimension many civilizations or aliens may live simultaneously at the same place. These coexisting civilizations may not see or feel the presence of each other.

The ninth dimensional being would have mind boggling super powers. That being would be capable of going to any point in time- past, present or future of any infinite number of universes.

He would have no physical form and would be able to move freely in space and time in any of the universes.

10th Dimension (Tenth dimension)

The 10th dimensional being would have infinite powers. He would be able to do  the things that are beyond your imagination.

He would be able to control even the spacetime and everything present in all the infinite number of universes.

So what would you call that 10th dimensional being who is infinitely powerful.

I think we can call him The God!!!

Some researches also suggest that God lives in the 10th dimension.

11th Dimension (Eleventh Dimension)

Many unanswered questions were arised when the superstring theory was introduced. Therefore to answer these questions, eleventh dimension was proposed by the researchers.

We can observe only three dimensions of space and One dimension of time. It is not possible for us to observe higher dimensions as higher dimensions are Compactified or curled up.

According to superstring theory, everything in the universe is made up of one dimensional and infinitely small vibrating loops called strings.

Even the subatomic particles are made up of Strings and unique characteristic of each subatomic particle is because of the manner in which the strings vibrate.

It is interesting to note that, frequency of vibration of the string is responsible for the mass of the particle.

But the string theory does not answer two important questions related to strings, what these tiny strings are made of and where they come from.

Size of the strings is of the order of 10^(-33) cm. This size is unimaginably small. This is many times smaller than the diameter of the nucleus.

10^-33 cm is actually millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a billionth of a centimeter.

I know Without giving an analogy our brains can not understand, how small this number is.

If we increase the size of an atom up to the size of the observable universe, then the size of the string would be just equal to a tree.

My dear friends this was all about 11 dimensions. I hope I could answer most of your questions regarding dimensions.

Origin of the Universe - The Big Bang Theory, Evolution and Timeline of the Universe

The video explains How the universe was created. This documentary is based on Origin and evolution of the universe. You will know how the universe came into existence 13.7 billion years ago after the big bang and before the big bang our universe was just a singularity but within fractions of a second the universe grew tremendously.

This all has been explained in the video as timeline of the universe from its beginning to the present time. There was no time or space before 13.7 billion years ago. Suddenly NOTHING changed into EVERYTHING.

The BIG BANG

The universe came into existence with Big bang around 13.7 billion years ago. Actually nothing existed before the big bang not even the time. Contrary to common belief, big bang was not really an explosion. In big bang the space itself expanded. The Big Bang model states that before the big bang, the whole universe was in the form of a point of infinitely small size, infinite density and also infinitely high temperature. This is called as the Singularity.

Origin of the Universe Video

Cosmic Inflation Era

Within first millionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang, the universe grew really big!!! There was an exponential expansion of the universe in this extremely small span of time. This inflation era lasted from 10^-36 seconds to around 10^-32 seconds only. Therefore this phase of the universe is known as the Cosmic Inflation era.

Formation of the First Atoms

A few milliseconds after the big Bang the temperature of the universe was about 5 trillion degrees Celsius. At this level of temperature elementary particles like Quarks and Gluons mixed up to form a soupy primordial fluid that spread throughout the cosmos. Protons and neutrons are made up of Quarks and...Gluons act like glue to combine Quarks together so that protons and neutrons can be formed. When the universe was just 3 minutes old, Protons and neutrons fused together. This fusion process formed an isotope of hydrogen called as deuterium and also helium. But this process stopped as the temperature decreased. Finally after 380 thousands years after the big bang the temperature dropped to a level that was suitable for hydrogen and helium to combine with free electrons and in this way first neutral atom came into existence.

The Dark Ages

This was a very long duration of time that lasted nearly 100 million years, when there was no source of light in the universe. Therefore we call it The Cosmic Dark Ages. As most of the knowledge about the universe is obtained almost entirely from the light of stars, this makes it very difficult to get insight into this phase of the universe where stars were yet to form.

Formation of Stars

After the long dark ages, formation of stars started in the universe. This phase started by around 180 million years after the big Bang and continued for around 500 million years after the beginning of the universe. Because of gravitational force clouds of gases were pulled together and formed large sized spherical structures. At high enough temperature and pressure in the core of the spherical shapes, fusion reactions were triggered. In the fusion reaction two atoms of hydrogen fused together to form a single atom of helium. The fusion reactions in the stars generated large amounts of energy that lit up the universe. With the passage of time our universe filled with such shining stars. This stage in the evolution of the universe is known as the 'Cosmic Dawn' or 'reionization'.

Merging of Galaxies and Formation of Black Holes

Large sized galaxies started to form by the merger of smaller galaxies. Nearly 1 billion years after the big bang, supermassive black holes formed at the centers of the galaxies. Galaxies also grouped together due to attractive force of gravity and formed galactic clusters containing hundreds to thousands of galaxies. The brightest things in the universe was also formed called as Quasars. In this way the universe continued to evolve for billions of years.

Birth of the Solar System

Nearly 4.5 billion years ago clouds of gases collapsed down in a galaxy known as the Milky way. In this galaxy formation of a medium sized yellow star (Sun) took place under the influence of attractive force of gravitation. The star having 9 rings around it coalesced into 9 planets. The 3rd planet from the Sun was at the right distance from it that provided suitable conditions for the life to flourish. That planet was our home planet, the earth. Here on our planet different types of life forms evolved ranging from microbes and tiny creatures to gigantic Dinosaurs. As time passes various other species of plants and animals also appeared on the planet. And finally about 200 thousands years ago from the present time, the most intelligent life...humans evolved on earth. So this was the journey of our universe from its beginning to the present time. Credits and Source: https://www.livescience.com/65471-photo-timeline-big-bang.html

String Theory for Dummies - String Theory - String Theory Explained

We will discuss here- What is string theory, what are strings in string theory and how small are these strings. We will also answer, Why string theory is so important and how it has proved promising in answering the deepest questions in fundamental physics.

What are Strings in String Theory

Before the introduction of string theory, it was considered that the fundamental particles of the nature are point like particles. But according to string theory it is not true. String theory says that these fundamental particles are extremely small one dimensional objects known as strings. So strings are the smallest thing in the whole universe as everything, even the subatomic particles are made up of these one dimensional objects called strings. Graviton is a quantum mechanical particle that carries gravitational force. In string theory one of the many vibrational states of the string corresponds to the graviton.

String Theory Explained Video

What is String Theory

String theory deals with how these strings propagate through space and how do they interact with each other. According to the string theory all fundamental particles are actually tiny vibrating loops of string. Various properties of particles like mass and charge are determined by the vibrations of the one dimensional string like entities. According to researchers, the size of the string is about 10^-33 cm.

Why String Theory is Important?

Scientists hope that string theory will help in answering deepest questions related to fundamental physics. String theory has been applied to unravel mysteries of early Universe cosmology, black holes, nuclear physics and condensed matter physics. Quantum gravity is one of the deepest problems in modern physics. All the fundamental forces except gravity are described within the framework of quantum mechanics. As Albert Einstein described gravity using the general theory of relativity but the general theory of relativity is formulated within the framework of classical physics. According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, gravity is the distortion of space-time caused by the presence of matter. So a quantum theory of gravity was needed in order to reconcile general relativity with the principle of quantum mechanics. String theory can help us here. Actually string theory potentially provides a unified description of gravity and particle physics. It is a self contained mathematical model that describes all fundamental forces and forms of matter. So we can say that string theory is a candidate for a theory of everything. Now let’s get an idea about how small are the strings in string theory.

Size of Strings in String Theory

Actually a string is of the order of 10^-33. This number is so small that just by staring at this number you won’t get the idea. So let me make it simple for you with an analogy. Let’s assume an atom were magnified, to the size of the whole observable Universe, then a String would be the size of a tree!!! Now let me do one more comparison to make it more clear. This time I'll compare the size of an electron with the size of a string. So, if we increase the size of an electron equal to the size of the Earth, then a string would not be bigger than just a 3 storey building.

Secrets of the Universe (With Awesome Videos)

WATCH any VIDEO or Check Out any LINK to Read the ARTICLE of your interest in detail.

What is Time and How to Time Travel | 5 Ways to Time Travel | Is Time Travel Possible?

What is QUASAR | Brightest Object in the Universe | Quasi Stellar Radio Source

11 Dimensions Explained (Eleven Dimensions) | What are Dimensions & How Many Dimensions are there

What are Wormholes | How Wormholes Work and How Wormholes are Created (Wormhole Einstein Rosen Bridge)

 

The Largest Black Hole Discovered has Mass equal to 17 Billion Suns and is Located inside the Galaxy NGC 1277 in the Constellation Perseus

   

UY Scuti (BD 12 5055) | The Largest Star in the Universe | UY Scuti Vs Sun

Alcubierre Warp Drive | Alcubierre Drive | Warp Drive | Travel Faster than Light

Why all Planets and Stars are Round in Shape | Why all Planets are Sphere in Shape

Strings in String Theory | The Smallest Thing in the Universe | String Theory

11 Types of Orbit Simulation | Simulation of Orbit by PhET Simulator | Orbit Simulator



Analysis of Orbits | Orbit Simulator | Gravity and Orbits PhET | PhET Simulations Physics

Gravity and Orbits PhET Simulation | Sun Moon and Earth Orbits | PhET Simulations Physics



What is Dark Matter | Proof of Dark Matter in the Universe

20 Amazing Facts about the Milky Way Galaxy that Will blow Your Mind !!!

What Happens When Two Black Holes Collide | Black Hole Collision Calculator by Omni Calculator

What Will Happen if Gravity Disappeared | Gravity and Orbits PhET Simulation | What if Gravity Stopped

Saturn Planet Through Telescope | Saturn Through Telescope | Telescopic View of Saturn | Saturn Planet



11 Best Space and Astronomy Websites and Blogs | Amazing Websites



Chandrayaan 2 Launched by ISRO | Moon Mission of India

What Was Before the BIG BANG | The Big Bang Theory and Beginning of The Universe

Solar System Planets Through Telescope | Planets of the Solar System | Solar System | Celestia Space Simulator

Moons of Jupiter | Satellites of Jupiter | How Many Moons does Jupiter have | (io Moon, Europa Moon etc.)



What Happened to Chandrayaan 2 Mission by ISRO | Chandrayaan 2 Mission and Lander Vikram

Dark Energy is not the Fifth Force, Proved by an Experiment at Imperial College London - Science News

NUKE MARS Vs SOLAR REFLECTORS on MARS by Elon Musk | Nuke Mars Elon Musk | Elon Musk Mars | Mars New

First Image of Black Hole Captured by Scientists with the Help of Event Horizon Telescope (EHT Telescope)

Pluto Planet and its Moons (Satellites) | Moons of Pluto (Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos and Hydra) | Facts about Pluto & Kuiper Belt

PLUTO is a PLANET AGAIN - Says NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine | Pluto Not a Planet

What is Tachyon (Tachyon Particle) | Tachyon Particles that Travel Faster than the Speed of Light !!!

What Will Happen on FOLDING a PAPER 103 Times | Folding a paper 42 Times

Water on Mars Found by Curiosity Rover of NASA in Gale Crater (Rock Strathdon) | Mars News | NASA News

Von Braun Space Station (Space Hotel) by Gateway Foundation | Hotel in Space | Von Braun Wheel

End of the Universe | How the Universe will End | Big Freeze, Big Rip, Big Crunch & Big Bounce

Time is an illusion | Past Present and Future Exist at the Same Time | Max Tegmark | Block Universe

16 Psyche Asteroid | Golden Asteroid | Space Mining |16 Psyche (Psyche 16) | Asteroid News

Why Apollo 11 by NASA Took Only 4 Days to Reach Moon but ISRO's Chandrayaan 2 is Taking 48 Days !!!

NASA's TESS Discovered New SUPER EARTH (Planet GJ357d of Star GJ357)

STAR older than the Universe | METHUSELAH Star (HD 140283) | Oldest Star in The Universe

International Space Station (ISS) | Life in ISS | ISS Facts | International Space Station from Earth

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) | Hubble Telescope | Hubble Telescope Facts | Hubble Telescope Images Live

Life is Possible After Death According to Quantum Physics | Roger Penrose Consciousness and What Happens after Death

EARTH Planet- Facts about Earth -Earth Atmosphere, Radius and Surface Area of Earth, Rotation and Revolution, Earth Age

Venus Planet- (Venus Facts, Venus Atmosphere, Venus Temperature, Size, Mass, Rotation, Life on Venus)

Mercury Planet - Mercury Planet Facts - Size, Temperature, Distance, Diameter, Days of Mercury

The Universe is Expanding Faster than We Thought- Expansion of the Universe- Cepheid Variables

BREAKTHROUGH Experiment on Parallel Universe- Portal to Parallel Universe- Leah Broussard Parallel Universe- Mirrorverse (Multiverse)

Rocket Launch and Landing Video by NASA (How Rocket Goes Into Space and Lands on Earth) ALL STAGES 

Apollo 11 Moon Landing/First Man on the Moon/Neil Armstrong/Neil Armstrong Moon Landing/NASA Mission

Satellite Launching/Launching Space Shuttle/Rocket Launch/NASA Rocket Launch/спутник

Universe Origin Theories, Beginning, Evolution and Future of the Universe (BIG BANG Theory, Steady State Theory and Pulsating Theory)