The cosmic background radiation is the
A) result of the radioactive decay of heavier, unstable elements produced in supernova explosions.
B) faint glow along the elliptic, caused by sunlight scattering from dust particles.
C) electromagnetic remnants of the incredibly hot, dense early universe.
D) radio noise from hot gas in rich clusters of galaxies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cosmic background radiation is the electromagnetic remnants of the incredibly hot, dense early universe, specifically from a time about 380,000 years after the Big Bang when the universe cooled enough for protons and electrons to combine into neutral hydrogen atoms, allowing photons to travel freely.

The Cosmic Background Radiation Is the