How the CMB was found?

Did you know that the cosmic microwave background which is commonly abbreviated as CMB, was thought to be a result of pigeons doing their business in the dishes of the telescopes?

Let’s dive into the deep and funny story of how the cosmic microwave background was discovered.

It was a bright and beautiful day on May 20, 1964, perfect for radio astronomy. American radio astronomers where on duty: they did not know that they were going to contribute on the the most important “baby picture” of the universe. What they found also helped end debates about how the universe began, as such a CMB is predicted in the “Big Bang” theory of the universe. The 2 radio astronomers were Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson.

Now, what made them listen into the CMB. They were doing their routine scan of the sky, when they heard a constant microwave hissing sound from using the Holmdel Horn Antenna. They pointed to different parts of the sky, but the sound persisted, almost like an annoying whining coming from the cosmos itself.

The 2 astronomers thought that the dish was faulty. Henceforth, they went inside the dish, and were surprised by what they saw. The dish was indescribable, it had been used as a toilet by an entire flock of pigeons. They even found eggs of pigeons and a nest!

They rolled up their sleeves and started cleaning the dish. It was a horrendous experience (or so I think, but I don’t think anyone will enjoy cleaning up pigeon poo with a risk of catching salmonella and diarrhea and countless other infamous diseases) . But their hard work paid off!

Now, let’s proceed to the aftermath of the incident. After cleaning the dish and relocating the eggs, the still heard the faint hissing sound. That’s when they realised, that the dish was not faulty and that it was a signal from the heavens.

And the rest is history as you know. They went on to win a nobel prize for radio astronomy.

Timeline of radiation reaching Earth

The cosmic microwave background, as I have described it, is essentially a baby picture of the universe. It is a remnant of the leftover radiation from the big bang of the universe, ending debates and proving to majority that the big bang theory is correct, or for at least this timeline. This topic is still debated on, as some experts suggest alternate theories which still accommodate the CMB’s existence. One of the popular alternative theories, is the repeated big bang theory. The theory suggests that the universe has existed forever, and that the universe died in a heat death or a big crunch and then the big bang came and the universe restarted. King of like a video game, except every time you die, you reset with og stats.

The CMB

I hope you learned something new and interesting (albeit funny).

Clear Skies,

Shyam