2
10-43
seconds
Space and time as defined by Einstein’s basic laws of physics have as yet no meaning.
4
10–35
to 10–12 seconds
“Inflation”
has stopped. The primitive force which drives it leaves behind a series of elementary
particles—electrons, quarks, gluons and neutrinos—existing in an environment of inconceivably
high temperatures (1027 degrees centigrade). Exhausted, the universal early force
breaks up into gravity and other forces operating at the nuclear level. Einstein’s
laws now apply. The universe continues to expand and cool.
6
10–6
seconds
Quarks
begin to stick to one another in threes, forming the first protons and neutrons—the
building blocks of atoms. Anti-matter and matter meet and engage in mutual destruction,
leaving for some unspecified reason a remainder of pure matter. The universe has
chilled to a billion degrees centigrade.
8
300,000
years
No light has been able to pass through the early universe due to its soup-like mixture
of electrons and photons (carriers of light and other energy waves). Upon reaching
3,000 degrees centigrade, the electrons are finally able to cling to the basic atomic
nuclei: the photons are thus set free, making up the universe’s first ever electromagnetic
signal. We can still hear its remnants today. Space is now transparent.
10
Between
5.5 and 10.5 billion years
Our Sun is formed along with the planets of the solar system, possibly due to a cataclysmic
supernova blast followed by the gradual accumulation into spherical bodies of dust,
rock and gas. On those planets closest to the sun–Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars–most
light gas is burnt off, leaving in the case of Earth a mix composed largely of iron,
nickel, carbon, oxygen and magnesium. Distant planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn,
remain gigantic globes of light gas.
12
10
(to 15) billion years
Multi-cellular organisms flourish, aided by the onset of sexual reproduction. The
first vertebrates emerge in the Ordovician era. Plants, dinosaurs, reptiles, and
mammals follow. Some five million years ago, various species of hominids begin to
inhabit Africa. Homo sapiens steps forth over 100,000 years ago. Language, culture
and human society are created. |
© B. Tucker/International St/Cosmos, Paris |
1
0
second
The universe is born in unknown, possibly unknowable circumstances. Traditional Big
Bang science suggested it emerged from a “singularity”—a point of infinite density
at which all known laws of space and time break down. Speculation, however, has not
abated: options for the first cause include a fluctuation in a field of quantum “foam,”
a growth inside a Black Hole or the bounce from a self-annihilating parent universe.
Theists prefer the hand of God.
3
10-43
to 10-35 seconds
Current theories point to an era of rapid “inflation”—an expansion so fast that it
outstripped the speed of light. From a tiny ball less than a millimetre in size,
the universe may have ballooned far beyond the distances our most advanced telescopes
can currently observe. The force behind this expansion is unknown.
5
10-11
seconds
The temperature drops to a million billion degrees centigrade. Electromagnetism is
born. All four fundamental forces of physics—gravity, the strong nuclear force, the
weak nuclear force and electromagnetism—are now in place. Time is ripe for the creation
of more complex particles.
7
100
seconds
Neutrons and protons combine to form the most basic atomic nuclei—those of hydrogen,
helium and lithium. The universe cools at extraordinary speed, so fast that there
is no longer enough heat to form other, heavier elements.
9
2
or 3 billion years
The cosmic dark age ends with the formation of the universe’s first ever stars at
the heart of dense gas clouds. Compacted by gravity, hydrogen in these stars fuses
into helium, pouring heat and light into space. Hot and violent nuclear reactions
clamber up the ladder of the elements. Carbon, oxygen and magnesium are formed. Giant
stars—called supernovae—expire in tremendous explosions, ejecting heavy matter across
the evolving galaxies.
11
6.2
(to 11.2) billion years
Emergence of life. The very first cells begin to populate the earth. Early theories
suggested the fundamental components for life, such as amino acids, were generated
by the action of lightning on a primal stew of water, methane and hydrogen. Contemporary
accounts postulate that asteroids impacting on Earth may have instead carried the
seeds of organic life. |
