11 Space Missions That Changed How We See the Universe

8. Probing the Distant Past: The Planck Satellite

The European Space Agency's Planck satellite, launched in 2009, has provided the most detailed map of the cosmic microwave background radiation, the afterglow of the Big Bang. By measuring temperature fluctuations in this radiation, Planck has refined our understanding of the universe's age, composition, and development. Its data supports the theory of cosmic inflation and offers insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Planck's findings are crucial for cosmology, helping scientists piece together the history of the universe from its earliest moments to its current state.