The universe's galaxies have evolved since what point in time?(1 point)
Responses
800 million years ago, when gas concentrations were optimal for galaxy formation
13.8 billion years ago, right after the universe first formed
approximately 50 million years ago, after initial clumps of material were formed
23.4 billion years ago, when the universe first formed
13.8 billion years ago, right after the universe first formed
The correct response is:
- 13.8 billion years ago, right after the universe first formed
The correct answer is: 13.8 billion years ago, right after the universe first formed.
To arrive at this answer, we need to have a basic understanding of the timeline of the universe. The prevailing scientific theory is known as the Big Bang theory, which suggests that the universe originated from a hot, dense state approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
After the Big Bang, the universe rapidly expanded and cooled. Within the first few minutes, light elements such as hydrogen and helium were formed. However, it took about 380,000 years for the universe to cool enough for atoms to form, allowing light to freely travel through space.
During the subsequent millions of years, the first clumps of matter, or protogalactic clouds, started to form due to gravity. These clouds eventually collapsed further under the influence of gravity, forming the first galaxies.
So, the correct answer is 13.8 billion years ago, right after the universe first formed, as this is when the first galaxies began to evolve.