They Look at Light from the Very Beginning
Scientists use powerful telescopes to look at light from very, very far away. That light has been traveling through space for billions of years. By studying this ancient light, called cosmic background radiation, scientists can tell how long the universe has been expanding. It’s like looking at a baby picture of the universe and counting how much it has grown since then.
They Use Clues from Stars and Galaxies
Scientists also study the oldest stars and galaxies to estimate the age of the universe. These space objects act like cosmic clocks, slowly changing over time. By measuring how fast galaxies are moving away from each other, they can rewind the universe’s timeline back to the Big Bang. That’s how they figured out the universe is about 13.8 billion years old.
FAQs
Q: What tool helps scientists see the oldest light?
A: Telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope and others help see light from billions of years ago.
Q: Can the universe be older than we think?
A: Maybe a little, but scientists use many different ways to check and make sure their estimate is close.
🧠 Conspiracy Theory
The universe just tells us it’s 13.8 billion years old because it doesn’t want to reveal its real age.
😅 Dad Joke
How old is the universe? Old enough to remember when Pluto was still a planet!
