Why did it appear? We don't know.Īfter its initial appearance, it apparently inflated (the "Big Bang"), expanded and cooled, going from very, very small and very, very hot, to the size and temperature of our current universe. These zones of infinite density are called "singularities." Our universe is thought to have begun as an infinitesimally small, infinitely hot, infinitely dense, something - a singularity. The pressure is thought to be so intense that finite matter is actually squished into infinite density (a mathematical concept which truly boggles the mind). They are thought to exist at the core of "black holes." Black holes are areas of intense gravitational pressure. Singularities are zones which defy our current understanding of physics. What is a "singularity" and where does it come from? Well, to be honest, we don't know for sure. The big bang theory is an effort to explain what happened during and after that moment.Īccording to the standard theory, our universe sprang into existence as "singularity" around 13.7 billion years ago. Prior to that moment there was nothing during and after that moment there was something: our universe. Discoveries in astronomy and physics have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. The Big Bang theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe.